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might of course be ships carrying both contraband and
other goods on their way to Hong Kong at the time that
the announcement was made.
His firm had a shipment of 20 aeroplanes and
other war material ready to start for Hong Kong. All
the necessary permits at this end had been got and
they would be shipped by the Glen Steamers,
anxious to know whether, assuming the stuff got to
He was
Hong Kong, it would be allowed to leave Hong Kong for
Chinese territory. On this we could only say that
the whole position was fluid. He knew what the
present policy was and he also know that we were
considering whether that policy should be altered and
had at present no idea whether it would be or not.
He said that another order was placed
through them by Dr. Kung when he was in this country
in July for 5 million rounds of ammunition and some
other war material as well. If the enquiry from
the Chinese Government about which he had now
written to us resulted in an order, shipment would
not take place for something like a year ahead.
If an order was placed his firm would insist on
cash with the order and all risks would be taken by
the Chinese Government. The order would be for
delivery in Hong Kong.
He