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thereafter to consult Her. Consul feural at Trentonly telegram, reperti to Pty

and Shanghai.

Su J. Brefan

Au SCH

Scot 29/11

I rang up Major Major of the War Office who

ascertained for me that both land and buildings are

owned by H.M. Government.

I do not think it is likely, in any predictable

circumstances, that we should want to reinforce the

present token garrison in North China. Its complete

withdrawal, in due course, is a more probable contin-

gency.

On the other hand, to offer the property for sale

now would be tantamount to a public declaration that

we had abandoned all intention of sending the troops

back to Tientsin and would conflict with our communi-

cation to the Japanese Government to the effect that

the reduction of the garrison was temporary and that we

reserved our rights under the Boxer protocol. Moreover

as Mr. Scott points out, the War Office are not likely

to obtain a fair price for the land at the present time

I suggest therefore that the War Office should be

advised for the above reasons to retain the property

until the situation in North China becomes more settled

I understand from Major Major that they would welcome a

reply on these lines.

Ashley Clarke 307

Далее

مسلط

November 30th, 1939.

صابيض

Bull. 12

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