2.
66
security of the French Railway line from Haiphong to
Yunnanfu was not absolute.
Furthermore although there is
a comparatively good road from Hanoi up to Lookay near the
Indo-China frontier, there is at present no road from
Lookay up to Yunnanfu. The Chinese are said at present
to be busy constructing this road, but it is not likely
to be suitable for heavy transport for some considerable time.
4. Mr. Gourlie was sent to examine the possibilities
of the re-erection of his factory near the Burma frontier,
since it is thought that a factory in such a position
would be completely free from the attention of Japanese
aeroplanes for the reasons already mentioned in item (3)
of my note of 10th November, 1938. Mr. Gourlie apparently
arrived in Rangoon on the 29th October and was given a
letter of introduction through the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company
via Mr. Wise to me at Maymyo. He did not however stop
at Maymyo but went on to Lashio where he saw Mr. Shaw
and subsequently to Bhamo where he saw Mr. Kingsley.
He got into touch with the Chinese Sawbwa of Mengmao
at Muse and with his assistance bicycled over a considerable
area on the Chinese side of the frontier looking for a site.
He eventually picked on a site, which he considered to be
suitable, slightly west of Loiwing which will be seen
on sheet 93 Square B 2 of the Survey of India map of
E NE
the Bhamo District 1909 1910. This site is about 22
miles east of the Frontier Force military post at Panghkam
in the Bhamo District. Panghkam is itself about 4 miles
from Manwing which is on the Bhamo-Shweli Bridge road
and Panghkam and Manwing are connected by a road which is
usable by motor traffic. Mr. Gourlie, if his scheme
develops, is prepared to contribute to the upkeep of this
road which connects Manwing with the Frontier Force post
to enable it to carry the material which is likely to be
required/