C.ID

"A"

1. F.O. #6021/31/10

१.१.३Y.

Desires

any

news of obsons.

iss. oftel⋅ from H.M. Chargé d'Affaires.

from gout. Sof

2

H.K.N

The proposal is that a company should be

registered in Hong Kong ostensibly for training air

mechanics, but in reality for the erection of

aeroplanes destined for the Chinese Air Force. This

company would be controlled and operated by the

Chinese Government with a site having a runway in

Chinese territory and an assembly depôt in the new

territories.

In the absence of further details, it is

not easy to make out quite how far this would be a

breach of neutrality in fact or in name. The Foreign

Office think it would be open to serious objection,

but I am not sure that if the company were a private

one, there could be any more objection to its

establishment in British territory than to the supply

of arms from British firms to the Chinese Government,

though it would, of course, be open to the political

objection that it would be a tempting target for

Japanese aircraft if they should wish to repeat any

of their recent "mistakes".

I have spoken to Mr. Gent and submit draft

telegram for conson.

P. Royer

9. ix. 37.

the Chinese

The tun way

ove

Forder

wi no

fair target;

doubt be a

but the scheme

is

not a

machicabis one

acanty

for

A K

L

entertain.

A

Share This Page