(6) "The stoppage of importation of sulphur and 1/2 nitrates might seriously hamper the manu- facture of explosives. The effect of such stoppage would depend mainly on what plant exists for the manufacture of sulphuric and nitric acid from raw materials available in China. Information on this subject is not at present available."
(7) "It is unlikely that a blockade would be
effective in bringing the Chinese to terms. rapidly, in which case, unless a certain amount of trade with the Chinese was permitted, the destruction of our trading interests and of the Laritime Customs which would result might become even more complete and irretrievable than would be the case if a state of war alone existed."