CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 77

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2.

suitable guarantees, you may think this suggestion worthy of consideration.

3. Meanwhile, question of possible withdrawal from Tientsin, already affected by European situation, is likely to present itself in new shape, for practical reasons of barracks being flooded, and of consequent future necessity of rebuilding,

4. These reasons might necessitate withdrawal in any case, and it occurs to us that the general situation might be eased if it was possible to make a virtue of what may be a necessity. Decision must of course be governed by the considerations in my telegram o. 527 to Paris. Fending the replies to this telegram, I should be glad of your views as to effect of withdrawal on general situation and whether, although it obviously cannot be used as an actual bargaining counter, or even expressly couple d with question of resuming Tientsin conversations, it might result in such an improvement in the atmosphere that liquidation of outstanding questions would be easier.

Repeated to Shanghai No. 901, ashington No. 581 and

Paris No. 612 Saving.