export of munitions
Sam
Thes
200
think it would be desirable to suggest to the 0.A.G.
that this decision should be rescinded.
? Telegraph to Hong Kong reference 88, asking
to be informed of the volume of traffic in munitions
on the railway and ask for an explanation of the
the 0. A. G anticipates from
effect which furnishing this to the Japanese Consul
on Japanese policy)
89.
Enclone copy
letter
above
Mr. Chaplin of the Foreign Office rang me
up to say that the D.O.T. had been in communication
with them about this matter and ne said that they would rather like to see copies of the correspondence and of any instructions or request for information
which might be sent to Hong Kong.
It is a little difficult to know why the
Company have formed the impression that the Colonial
Government is not sympathetic to the arms business,
and it is possible that this may be due to a natural
impatience at the lack of storage for explosives
and munitions and to the necessity for complying with
the ordinary formalities the export of arms.
The 0.A.G. is aware of our policy and has himself
said that he would view unfavourably any decision
to impose an embargo on the export of munitions to
China.
? Reply to 89 that the Colonial Government
present is fully aware of the, policy of H.M.G. in the matter of the supply of arms to China.
Say that the Governor
will be requested to afford all possible facilities
for shipments of arms but that owing to the shortage
of accommodation it will no doubt be realised that
individual consignments may be unavoidably delayed.
Say that the Secretary of State nas no doubt that
every
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