3838/11
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
RECEIVED
5- NOV 1937
C. O. REGY
CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
72
71
Dated 4th November, 1937,
Received 4.6 p.m. 4th November.
INFORTANT.
No,268
Secret.
Addressed to Sccrotary of State for the Colonies 110,268
4th November repeated to Nanking Telegram No.52 copios to
General Officer Commanding Canton Commodore,
Consul General Canton has informed me this morning
?
that Canton Military Authorities have expressed the intention
"Tonday noxt to close Canton River to all traffic drawing over.
7 feet. Motive is the fear that if access is permitted to
vessels of greator draught Japanese war vessels may come up and
bombard Canton, Consul General and local naval exporte consider
waic most improbable.
53851/37
M
cine
Copy Stacked
63838/11
Proposed action will seriously affect Hong
Kong
Consul General
trade and would increase commercial embarrassment which is
already serious oving to overcrowded warehouses, has consulted this Government as to means of bringressure to
bear on the military authorities to permit passage of vessels drawing up to at least 11 feet. Representation: that
extentions of Hong Kong Canton Road to Chinese border would not be undertaken in the event of unreasonable action prejudicial to shipping being taken by Chinese military authorities would
presumably have considerable effect: but of course no such
pressure can be employed unless and until you approve such extension (see my telogram Secret Ho.267). I shall be grateful
for earliest possible intimation of your viows on proposals (One) road extension (2) method of utilising (1) for purpose of pressure Officer Administering the Government Secret
94 telegram No.217 is relevant.
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