No.722 (152/70L/38 Copied to:
Hongkong, No.58. Shanghal No.324. Berlin,
Rome,
My Lord,
BRITISH MBASSY,
TOKYO.
21st September, 1938.
ith reference to Berlin telegram No. 377
Saving of the 11th August copy of which was sent to
me under cover of Your Lordship's despatch No. 584 of
the 15th August (F.8750/4850/23), I have the honour to
transmit to Your Lordship herewith a copy of a memor-
andum prepared by Mr. P.H. Gore-Booth, Third Secretary
of His Majesty's Embassy, from material available from
Hongkong and Shanghai regarding imports of arms into
China from Germany, Italy and Great Britain.
2.
Your Lordship will observe that up to August
a very considerable percentage of the arms supplied to
China through Hongkong continued to come from Germany
and that after the first three months of the present
year imports from Italy sank to a negligible quantity,
where they as yet remain. It is of course possible
that the situation may change when the Germans have ful-
filled all their past contracts with the Chinese; at
present however there is no sign of supplies to China
from that source ceasing.
5.
Your Lordship will observe that the figures
now obtained confidentially from the Inspector Gene ral
of Customs at Shanghai in connexion with supplies for
/government
The Hight Honourable
The Viscount Halifax, K.G., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.,
etc.,
etc.,
etc.,
83