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the fact that there were over two millions of Chinese in Siamese
territory, but is Excellency remained unconvinced.
I then remarked that it appeared that the unfortunate Chinese
would not in effect get any aims or munitions at all, in spite of
the Assembly's resolution of October 5th last.
M. Dulbos reassured me on this point by stating in strict
confidence that, although the French Government had decided about
a week ago that no arms or munitions should pass over the French
railways in Indo-China, they would wink at the transit of any such
material ordered before that decision had been reached. The effect
therefore would be that the Chinese would for the presunt be
supplied.
His Excellency then explained that France would only be willing
to run the serious risk implied by this action temporarily and
pending some international decision to supply arms, etc., to China
by the approaching Brussels Conference, in the more than likely
event of failure to reach a peaceful solution of the Dino-Japanese
conflict by agreement. In other words, it is not, as I had
anticipated, a British guarantee of solidarity with France against
possible Japanese attack that the French Government will demand,
but a general guarantee by the Powers assembled at Erussels that
the French will insist upon obtaining, if transit across the French
lines in Indo-China is to continue.