FO371-23523 — Page 134

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協中英

會華商

متاع

CHINA ASSOCIATION.

89

161, SHELL MEX.HOUSE,

TEMPLE-BAR 2178.

TELEPHONE Bramley 3023

St. Josephs,

STRAND?

Linersh Wood Road,

LONDON, W. C.2.

Bramley, Surrey.

15th December, 1939.

Page 134

Dear Howe,

Travelling down here after my conversation with you yesterday

afternoon I thought over the subject of our short conversation, i.e.,

the withdrawal of the gunboats from the Yangtsze.

Two or three

points occurred to me which did not come to my mind while I was

talking to you and which alter a little the general sense of agreement

with you which what you said left in my mind. May I set these

points out?

1

(1) The symbolic value of the gunboats. I agree

with you that

as far as "face" is concerned there is little to choose between

leaving the gunboats in circumstances in which in actuality they have

very little say, and giving the impression that they are being withdrawn

to accommodate the Japanese. May it not be argued, however, that as

long as the gunboats remain on the Yangtsze they have symbolic value,

in which description I include their bluff value. Granted that if

any occasion for a "showdown" occurred they could do nothing, it is,

I think, arguable that their presence makes the Japanese think twice

before indulging in a "showdown"

You told me that it was not intended to withdraw ships from

Shanghai and Canton. Yet is it not the case that the value of their

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