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there after reference to the superintending Mission.
It may be that the Chinese Consul-General at Singapore
holds an independent post, in which dose it is to be
presumed that he would refer direct to the Waichiaopu.
But this consideration does not, in the opinion of His
Majesty's Government, justify the shifting of the onus of
ascertaining whether a particular trɛnsaction is in order
from the Chinese Consul-General to the Governor of the
Straits Settlement.
paragraphs.
3. I shall be glad if Your Execllency will reply to
the Waichiaopu memorandum in the sense of the two foregoing
In paragraph 3 of his despatch Mr. Behrens
raises the question of the export of industrial explosives,
which as you will be aware, are not subjected either in the
United Kingdom or in colonial territorics to the same measure
of export control which applies to arms and munitions.
Your Excellency should therefore be careful to avoid implying
in your reply that these substances rre covered by the
measures now in force. It would not appear necessary or
desirable to define to the Chinese Government the position in
the case of such explosives, but if they should at any time
enquire explicitly, you may inform them of the practice of
His Majesty's Goverment in this respect.
I am, with great truth and respect,
sir,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(For the secretary of State)
(Sd.) C. W. Orde