FO371-23518 — Page 5

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F.O

SECRET CIPHER TELEGRAM.

From:- G.O.C. Hong Kong.

То :- The War Office.

IMPORTANT.

5291 Cipher 23/7.

Desp.0220 23.7.39. Recd.1045 24.7.39.

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206

Part 1.

Your 55534 (M.0.1.) 21/7. Para. 1(a).

Following is summary of signed report on discussion

with Colonel Catteville, commanding French forces in North China

and in Shanghai, Admiral not being present.

Allied policy accepted to withdraw garrisons from Peking

and Tientsin if circumstances permit, French and British forces

acting together. Joint plan for evacuation to be drawn up

forthwith. Shipping resources to be pooled for British and French

troops and military families. If evacuation of allied garrisons

impossible it was agreed "that situation which may have to be

faced however is one (?in which) the allied garrisons find

themselves (?isolated) in their concessions, opposed by

overwhelmingly superior forces of all natures, and with no

conceivable hope of mobilizing. It was agreed that armed action

by allied garrisons against Japanese armed forces from a military

point of view would be of no avail. Resistance would produce

no military advantage and would have no other effect than that

of endangering lives of non combatants.

In this situation the

British forces will not offer resistance and will allow

themselves to be interned if no other alternative presents itself.

At present the French forces (?have no) definite (orders) on

this subject and the French commander will act as required by the

French Consul General".

Part 2. Until the moment of signing report arrived Catteville

agreed that French troops would (?act) in similar manner to

British. At last moment for reason of (?national) pride he

inserted/

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