provided that the exporters in this country guarantee
43
that such arme will not be re-exported from Hong Kong without
the written consent of the Governor of the Colony.
3.
In the case of foreign firms exporting military arms
via Hong Kong to China, there clearly cannot be the same
Beasure of control. While the Governor can insist on the
production of a Contral Government Huchao before permitting
the re-export of arms to China, - and has always done so, - it is only in exceptional circumstances, under articles 5,
8 and 9 of the Statute of Freedom of Transit ndopted et
Barcelona in 1921, or article 8 of the Convention signed on
the same occnsion, that he can interfere, whether a Central
Government Huchao has been obtained or not, with a direct
consignment of armo by a foreign firm to South China via
Hong Kong provided that the original or a certified copy of
the original contract
can be produced.
40 I shall be glad if you will communicate to the Chinese
Government as much of the information contained in this
despatch as you consider desirable. You will observe that,
although the letter to Mr. Tennyson Tan relates to Dominions
and Colonies, the note from the Chinese Government refers only
to dependencies, and it is therefore considered desirable
that no mention should be made of the Dominions in any
communication which you may address to the Chinese Government
on this subject.
I am, with great truth,
sir,
Your obedient Servant, (For the Secretary of State)
S
saw.h. Lo Green