FO371-46255 — Page 146

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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

WARNING This message must be thoroughly paraphrased if its text is to be published or communicated outside British or American Services or Departments. If

re-transmitted unparaphrased other than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark the message "to be sent in One-Time Pad."

F7021

OZ 5673 TUO 131518Z

TUD 131630Z

IMPORTANT

From: A. M. S.S.U.

To : J.S.. hashington

Rpta S... C. S. E...

X COS A

COS(..) 108

13th September, 1940.

Fo Casti

135

1.

Following from Chiefs of Staff.

F5356/ 1/47/0

Reference COS() 66, paragraph 3B.

we have been considering question of our repres- entation with American forces at Chinese ports.

2.

with the exception of Shanghai our interests can be adequately represented by naval forces only. C.-in-C. B. P.F. is aware of our requirements and is al- ready acting in agreement with Admiral Nimitz.

3.

Naval representation would also be adequate in SHANGHAI unless disorders break out. In the event of such disorders arising, beyond the capacity of the CHINA Theatre to control, it is assumed that Supreme Commander Allied Powers might have to despatch American forces to restore order. In this event we would wish to provide a small British land force to accompany the Americans.

In order that plans can be prepared, we would be glad of early information from United States Chiefs of Staff regarding any plans they may have for the despatch of land forces to SHANGHAI in the circumstances vis- ualised.

(For your information only.)

Although we do not consider it necessary to inform U.S. Chiefs of Staff at this stage we shall have special R. A.F. requirements in establishing an air staging post at SHANGHAI with the use of Airfields at LULIANG and HANOI to aid the installation of our occupational force and for the development of our air route to JAPAN. we do not wish to be dependent on

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