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1 18 NOV 1968

SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION AND WAR CABINET.

From: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Decypher.

D. 11.22 p.m.

R. 8.00 a.10.

The Marquess of Lothian (Washington)

17th November, 1939.

17th November, 1939.

18th November, 1939.

No. 789.

& & & & & & &

Hornbeck today explained to the Counsellor that the

State Department are taking all suitable steps to resist

any suggestions either from the War Department or the press

for reductions of garrisons in China. He had prepared

statement for use in answering the press, in which it is

definitely stated that the United States Government have no

present intention either to diminish or to augment these

garrisons.

He would however appreciate our giving him for use

with the War Department:-

(1)

Approximately [sic] exact details of the number

of men which His Majesty's Government expect to have at

Shanghai, Tientsin and Peking respectively, after our reductions

have been completed.

(2) By about what date the reductions will have been

effected.

(3)

Nipme

Whether we expect to maintain approximately the

same numbers as in (1) in each place thereafter. Figures

should be in officers and men and not in companies etc.

F.O. RECISTRY.

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