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7.

A German attack on Thrace will take a considerable

time to develop, and unless Italy came into the war soon

after the German advance commenced we should have time to

re-inforce Thrace with troops from the West. Once Italy

had entered the war, however, it would not be practicable,

with our naval forces at their present strength,

to maintain large military forces in

Thrace by sea from Egypt. So long 28

it was necessary to maintain troops in Thrace by rail it

would be easier to maintain French troops from Syria

rather than British from Egypt. We propose to take this

question up with the French in London at a very early date

but you should undertake exploratory discussions with the

French in Aleppo and inform us of your views and those of

the French as soon as possible.

8.

You should not adopt too negative or rigid an

attitude and while endeavouring to ascertain and report on the subjects set out in paragraph 6 above, you should point out that in the event of Italian hostility the

policy of the Allies would be to concentrate sufficient

naval forces in the Eastern Mediterranean to fulfil our

obligations under Article 7 of the Military Convention.

Further instructions for subsequent discussion by

the Commanders-in-Chief will follow when the results of

your present conversations are known and have been

discussed here with the French,

Cabinet War Room.

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