It is requested that in any further communication. on this subject the under-mentioned letter and number may be quoted, and the reply addressed to-
The Under Secretary of State for judía,
Political Department.
P. 1703.
India Office,
London, S. W.
REC
23571
453
Ree 7 MAY 17
INDIA OFFICE,
WHITEHALL,
LONDON, SW. 1
4th April, 1917. -
357
Sir,
With reference to your letter No. 2484 of the 26th
January, 1917, and to Mr. Shuckburgh's letter of the 20th
ed 13th April to the War Trade Department, I am directed by the 125th il, 17., Secretary of State for India to forward copy of the
marginally cited letters from the War Trade Department on
the subject of the prohibition of the export of arms and
ammunition from the United Kingdom to certain neutral
destinations in the Far East.
It has now been definitely decided that, as a general
rule, no export licenses will be granted for the export of
arms and ammunition from the United Kingdom, whether for
sporting purposes or otherwise, save in exceptional cases;
and the War Trade Department concur in the suggestion put
forward in the 3rd paragraph of Mr. Shuckburgh's letter of
the 20th April that an unpublished rule should be laid down
1240
-
that an application for permission to export arms or ammunition of any description from the United Kingdom to
neutral destinations in the Far East will be considered in the
absence of a recommendation from the British Consular
authorities concerned.
Mr. Secretary Chamberlain will be glad if the Secretary
of State for the Colonies will now make the necessary
communications to the authorities concerned, with regard to
the export of arms etc., to China, Siam, the Dutch East
Indies
The Under Secretary of State,
COLONIAL OFFICE,
S. W. 1.,