In any further communication on this subject, please quote
No.
F 1708/298/10
and address-
not to any person by name
but to-
"The Under-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
Sir,
FOREIGN OFFICE.
S.W.1.
17th February, 1938.
19.
182
14.
With reference to your letter No. 53846/38 of the
10th February, enclosing a copy of telegram No. 30 of the
1st February from Hong Kong, I am directed by Mr. Secretary
Eden to inform you that he agrees, subject to the concurrence
of the Air Ministry, that the assembly of the three ambulance
aircraft referred to should be sanctioned, provided that the
impossibility of their being used for effective military
purposes can be verified before assembly, and that a
guarantee is given that they will not be converted for
such purposes. He assumes that they will be clearly
marked with the Red Cross before leaving Hong Kong territory.
2. Mr. Eden considers, however, that the assembly of
the three passenger aircraft should not be sanctioned, as it
is virtually impossible to ensure that they shall not be used
for military purposes.
3. Copies of this letter are being sent to the
Admiralty, the Air Ministry and the War Office.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Cw. Orde
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.