194
Statute on the Freedom of Transit; in Sir Samuel Hoare's
opinion the production of such a contract can be required
notwithstanding, since it is expressly provided in Article 5
of the Statute that "Each Contracting State shall be entitled
"to take reasonable precautions to ensure that
"are really in transit."
4.
goods.....
It will also be observed that the United States
Government, in intimating that they are prepared provisionally
to accept the suggested procedure, have asked that they may be
furnished, from time to time, with information regarding
shipments of arms from Belgium and Switzerland to China via
Hong Kong. At present the Governor of Hong Kong renders
six-monthly statements of arms passing through the
Colony to China, and copies of these statements are supplied to
this Department. From the entry into force of the contemplated
measures of control, Sir Samuel Hoare would propose, provided
that Mr. Secretary MacDonald sees no objection, to communicate
informally to the United States Embassy in London the figures
supplied by the Governor of Hong Kong in respect of Belgium
and Switzerland, the United States and all countries (including
the United Kingdom) combined.
5.
Mr. Secretary MacDonald will further observe that
mention is made in the note from the State Department of shipments
of arms from Hong Kong via Macao to China. It is to be
presumed that the export of war material from Hong Kong is only
permitted, as in the case of the United Kingdom, to a foreign
Government or its accredited representatives: and that, in the
case of other arms, due regard is had both to the size of the
consignment and to the standing of the consignee. Sir Samuel
Hoare would, however, be glad if enquiries might be made of the
Governor of Hong Kong in this matter, and also if he might be
informed in due course, what answer should in Mr. MacDonald's
view/