Furthermore, in regard to conditions in Tientsin, we received on May 10 a cable warning us that the outlook is more serious than appears on the surface. The cable said:
Despite indications of the partial failure of the Japanese plan in certain directions it does not follow that such failure will be permanent or that the ultimate elimination of British trade is not being gradually effected. Without wishing to erate or to strike a nolo of experience of members leads to the conclusion that without some external measure compelling a change in panes Policy and system there would appear to be no hope of maintaining the British position in North Chins.
Under the circumstances the British Community of Tientsin think it necessary to record that self-preservation is compelling a large measure of conformity with Japanese plans which must ultimately assist towards their success without doing more than postpone temporarily the elimination of British trade.
Accordingly the idea of using consular certificates, etc., may have to be pressed again and may acquire more favour in the eyes of the Government than it had a few weeks ago.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.