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OUT FLE
POREICH OFFICE, ".".1.
94
23rd December, 1939.
(F 12858/3918/10)
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Dear
No Gull
In Howe's absence I am answering your letter
to him of 15th December about the withdrawal of the
gunboats from the Yangtze.
It is a little difficult
to answer your points fully in writing, but T should he
very glad to discuss them with you should you care to
make an appointment after Christmas.
In the meantime let me say that the decision
to withdraw the gunboats was taken after weighing their
symbolic value against their effectiveness in taking
any action on behalf of British interests, and so far as
prestige is concerned it was felt that more would be lost
by having the gunboats immobilised in their present
positions then by withdrawal. The Misposition of the
gunboats has of course been and must contime to be
governed by purely naval considerations.
Yours sincerely
(Sgd.) ASHLEY CLARKE
E.M. Gull, 28q.,
China Association,
St. Joseph's,
Linersh Wood Road,
Bramley,
Surrey
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