19
apparently not view favourably any embargo on
the export of munitions to China. I am
inclined to think that merely from the point
of view of the Colony's interests it would in
the long run be more disastrous than the
temporary destruction of the railway.
Like the Foreign Office, I am not
clear as to the significance of the suggestion
that the 0.A.G. shoula furnish the Japanese
Consul with statistics of the volume of traffic
on the railway. If such information would have
have any effect in making the Japanese more
hesitant in carrying out their threat to destroy
the railway then it appears a harmless method
and of some use. I think, however, we should
make it clear to the 0.A.G. what our policy is,
and that either we must submit to the Japanese
threat and impose an embargo, or that no partial
steps such as forbidding the use of British
rolling stock for the conveyance of munitions
should be allowed. In view of our present
policy I am inclined to think that the 0.A.G's
action reported in No.88 is mistaken and that
it would be advisable to allow the use of British
rolling stock for the purposes mentioned.
? Acknowledge 90 and refer to 88,
saying that the significance of the Acting
Governor's suggestion is not apparent to us
either, and that we are asking for further
Say that it appears to us that
information.
it is open to objection to forbid the use of
British rolling stock for the purposes
mentioned and that we should be glad to have
obre Nations
their vic
on this and to know whether they
think