COPY
(F 7494/5423/10)
despalch
Extract from letter from British Legation,
Bangkok No. 191 (150/56/32) of the 16th
September, 1932.
67
4
In view of the regulations issued by the Nanking
Government requiring that invoices of exports to China
should be endorsed by a Chinese consular authority, and of
recent press reports regarding the proposed visits to
Bangkok of various Chinese officials to discuss the question
with the Siamese Government, I enquired to-day of the
Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations
direct or indirect were taking place.
-
2. His Excellency informed me that the Chinese Government
had expressed a wish - presumably through the Siamese
Legation in Tokyo
Siam who, in the absence of Chinese consular officers,
would be authorised to endorse invoices. To this request
the Siamese Government had replied that as long as it was
clearly understood that the Trade Commissioner should con-
fine himself to endorsing invoices of exports to China and
that he had no diplomatic or consular status they had no
objection. After some delay the Chinese Government stated
that instead of sending a Trade Commissioner they proposed
to send a commercial attaché, but the Siamese Government
have refused this suggestion. I understand that there the
matter stands. It has its importance because although most
of the Siamese exports to China are sent to Hongkong a
certain quantity go direct to Swatow and other Chinese ports.
to appoint a Trade Commissioner for