My dear Beale,
JARDINE ENGINEERING CORPORATION, LIMITED.
SHANGHAI.
29th August, 1933.
68
Con. 38
IMPORTATION OF ARMS INTO KUANGTUNG.
With reference to your letter dated the 9th instant -
and my reply of the 14th idem, I have now received
advices from Hongkong Branch which indicate that Armaments
intended for Kuantung or other China ports from any country are
allowed to pass through Hongkong to destination upon the
production to the Hongkong Police of the original or a certified
copy of the Contract with the clients, no Huchaos being
necessary.
Importation into Kuangtung can of course be effected
under a South-West Political Council Huchao.
However, before any Armaments held in stock, or
manufactured, in any part of the British Empire, which of course
includes Hongkong, can be exported to Kuangtung or other China
ports, a Central Government Huchao, or the permission of the
Chinese Minister in London in the case of shipments from Great
Britain, is invariably required by the British Authorities at
post of shipment. This requirement we understand is not
rigidly enforced by several Continental Governments, resulting
in British Armaments intended for Kuangtung being penalised to
some extent.
As the Kuangtung Authorities appear to consider the
application to Nanking for Huchaos ae a "loss of face" apart fro
the inconvenience, delay, probable additional cost and the
advertising of their Armament purchases, they resent the demand
Louis Beale, Esq.,
H.M. Commercial Counsellor,
British Consulate General,
SHANGHAI.
for