CO129-563-12 Sino-Japanese War- evacuation of refugees from China 15-8-1937 - 4-1-1938 — Page 117

M.4772/37

sir,

116

18th August

7

With reference to your communication of the

14th August F.5106/9/10, stating that the Estonian

Minister has asked that some 120 Estonian citizens

at Shanghai should be evacuated with British subjects,

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the

Admiralty to forward herewith for Viscount Halifax's

information a copy of a Signal 1848/17th August which

has been addressed to the Commander in Chief China

on the matter.

As Viscount Halifax is no doubt aware,

H.M.Ships are not being and in all probability cannot be used for evacuating refugees. The accommodation of

refugees at Hong Kong is also likely to prove difficult

and may be the determining factor in deciding upon the number of British subjects who can be evacuated.

Similar proposals from other small nations must also be

anticipated.

My Lords assume that no expense arising out

of the evacuation of foreign nationals will fall on British funds and that the appropriate British

authorities will be instructed accordingly.

A copy of this letter has been sent to

the Colonial Office.

The Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office,

S.W.1.

DA.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,