31
(See 34 on
53838/24/38)
A
it has been decided that we cannot allow munitions to
be exported to the Japanese in South China via the
Canton-Kowloon Railway, the Japanese would have
strong grounds for regarding such a course of action
as a breach of de fac to neutrality. Apart from the
risk of more serious consequences there is, as the
Governor points out, the probability that Japanese
troops would return to the neighbourhood of the border
if the Colony continued to act as a source of munitions
supply, thus increasing the likelihood of unfortunate
"incidents" and increased influx of refugees.
On the other hand, it might be maintained
that the Colonial Government cannot fairly refuse
permission to export munitions which are properly
authenticated by Chinese Government Huchaos.
"
The distinction that exports by lorry or coasting
vessel should not be permitted may prove aifficult
in practice, and even ineffective, and if any
would
distinction is to be made it be preferable to
destination
do this by specifying the wet in the permit
given for each particular consignment.
On general grounds, moreover, it seems to me that the policy of H. M. G. will be sympathetically inclined
towards any encouragement which could be given to
the Chinese forces whether in South China or elsewhere.
To stop the export of munitions from the Colony to
Kuangtung would be to cut off what may be a potentially
important source of supply to local forces, and arouse
strong resentment on the part of the Chinese Government.
I suggest, therefore, that on the whole our attitude
hould be to allow the export of munitions from Hong
Kong in any case where they are covered by Chinese
แ
Government Huchaos
"
>
and are properly authenticated
?