No. ifCcf
THE Secretary en State for Foreign Affairs presents his compli-
ments to His Majesty's Representative at ttXtil/js&fin*-
and, transmits herewith copy of the under-mentioned paper.
Foreign Office,
Jo   ^ ,193^
Reference to previous correspondence:
25
Description of Enclosure.
Name and Date.
m
99 S^H-t'l*!
Subject.
h' mm
A similar despatch has been addi*essed to H.M. ^Presep^^ve ,
Cummlui Officer M /So3
9-12589 (2)
SI
A
(P 3949/3918/10). FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.I.
SECRET. 4th May, 1939.
Sir,
I am directed by Viscount Halifax to enclose copies
of two telegrams which he has received from His Majesty's
Consul-General and the officer in charge of His Majesty's
Embassy at Shanghai concerning the evacuation of British nationals
from Shanghai in the event of war between this country and
Japan.
2.     Lord Halifax agrees with the view expressed by Sir
Herbert Phillips that such evacuation would be impracticable
either before or after the outbreak of hostilities. He further
agrees with the suggestion made by Mr. Broadmead that, since
the local British communities in.China would have to remain
where they are, immediate steps should be taken to consult with
the French and United States Governments as to the measures to
be taken to safeguard the nationals of our respective countries
in the contingencies referred to. In Lord Halifax's opinion
particular care should be taken to avoid the situation alluded
to by Mr. Broadmead in the last sentence of the penultimate
paragraph of his telegram.
3.     Lord Halifax would be glad to know whether the Army
Council concur in the proposal that the French and United
States Governments be consulted and, if so, whether they have
any suggestions to make as to the line which should be followed
in such consultations* As regards the French Government, he
would-suggest that the subject might be discussed in the
course of the staff conversations at present in progress.
4./
The Under-Secretary of State,
War Office.
4«     A similar letter is 'being sent to the Admiralty
and a copy of this letter is being sent to Colonel Hollie,
Committee of Imperial Defence*
I am, etc.,
(Sgd«) R.G. Howe*