No. SECRET.
Sir,
53548
2238
210933
133
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
16th August, 1938.
(197)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your secret despatch of 26th July, 1938, regarding the returns of munitions exported to China from Hong Kong, and to inform you that it is regretted that it is not possible to obtain figures for the approximate values of all consignments, as the figures are not as a rule given on the shipping documents, and the local agents, who take delivery on behalf of the Chinese Government and who handle by far the majority of the consignments, can rarely supply them. It would thus not be possible to obtain this information except by reference through diplomatic channels to the Chinese Government, which places the orders abroad. I shall accordingly follow your instructions and omit henceforward the last column in the form of return, inserting the value of individual consignments where possible in the other columns.
2.
An additional copy of the return will as
requested be supplied in future.
I have the honour to be,
(ata / of Ay
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, H.P.,
&C.,
&C., &C.
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
phs. Worthcot
Governor.