12 Ju
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be
returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.
(F. 556/208/23).
JAPAN.
UNITED STATES OF AMERI CA
•
Code telegram to Sir J Tilley. (Tokyo). No 30.
Sir E. Howard. (washington). No. 58.
Foreign Office. February 2nd, 1927. 6.0.p.m.
(R).
(Tokyo). Your despatch No. 589 (of December
6th: Hongkong aerodrome).
In view of the menacing situation in China, and possible danger of an attack on Hongkong, His Majesty's Government are purchasing land for the immediate establishment of an aerodrome
on the mainland territory. These preparations are of vital and urgent necessity in order to guard against a possible attack, and in the opinion of His Majesty's Government cannot be regarded as an infringement of the Washington Naval Treaty, but in order to avoid any possibility of misconstruction His Majesty's Government desire that the other parties to article XIX should be informed of the action which they are compelled to take.
You should communicate the above to the government
to which you are accredited.
In the case of the Japanese government, His Majesty's Ambassador may, if the Japanese show signs of objecting refer verbally to the strengthening of the Formosa Air Base reported in Tokyo despatch No. 498.