It is
typical that these boats
+ apparently 18 more to be exported from U.K.
are allowed.
question of stopping them is they reach H. R. Premmably
is to
the
deferred
hel
the idea
1- to be made to
enable payment to be
the manufacturers.
8
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6.6
ا 165 7
10 $
Refor
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It would certainly save some embarrassment
if these boats were transported to Canton by rail,
but the fact remains that their export in any way
would seem to be contrary to the Hague Convention
which we have told Hong Kong to apply on a de facto
basis. At the same time, it would appear to be
impossible, in view of the Barcelona Convention, to
prohibit their export, and I agree with the
Admiralty view that it is most desirable that they
should be allowed to proceed. More than these two
boats are now concerned, as licenses have been
applied for for several more, and the Admiralty wish
a general decision to be taken regarding them. In
the case of those which have not yet left this
country, the Barcelona Convention clearly does not
apply, but in spite of the fact that we have told
Hong Kong to apply the Hague Convention in practice
I suggest that it is important that these boats
should
Page
9
Page
should be allowed to reach the Chinese Govt.
The Admiralty are inclined to agree and the
recent F.0. view appears to be on the same
lines.
I suggest that we should write to the
F.0. semi-officially, enclosing a copy of 6
and saying that while we feel that it would be
inconsistent with our previous decision to apply
the Hague Convention on a de facto basis in
Hong Kong, we consider that it is desirable
that these boats and others should be allowed to
reach the Chinese Govt., preferably by rail
rather than under their own power from Hong Kong,
and we accordingly suggest that they should be
allowed to proceed and that no objection should
be raised to the issue of licenses for other
boats exported from this country.
? So proceed.
And
copy
to Cedry
31T
C
P. Roger
10.6.38.