NO DISTRIBUTION
Decypher. Mr. Howe (Shanghai).
10th November, 1937.
D.
(By Wireless)
12th November, 1937.
R.
7.00 p.m.
12th November, 1937.
No. 190.
36
I understand that Aircraft China Limited have been informed
by their Hongkong branch that Hongkong Government will not permit Gloster Gladiator aircraft arriving Hongkong in a few days time to be erected at Kaitak by Far Eastern Aviation Company who are members
of Aircraft China Limited. The Company state that this decision if confirmed will place them in an embarrassing position vis-a-vis Chinese Government. They point out that the Company is an organi- sation that has been functioning for the past six years in Hongkong and has previously erected aircraft at Hongkong and sold to the Chinese authorities; also that orde for aircraft was given prior
to outbreak of hostilities; moreover the aircraft themselves will
be erected without armament which is being installed after delivery
to the Chinese. I understand from the French Air Attaché that French
aircraft arriving shortly will be erected in Indo China for delivery
to the Chinese.
I venture to hope that these considerations will be borne in
mind when instructions presaged in your telegram No. 428 to Nanking
are issued.
Addressed to Foreign Office, telegra No. 190, November luth,
repeated to Governor, Hongkong, Peking, Nanking. Copied to
Commander-in-Chief.