35
the Convention de facto would be likely to give rise to an
undesirable "incident" unless the boats were to leave
Hong Kong under their own power and attack a Japane se
ship en route. We cannot see that there is any reason
to anticipate an incident, if they are re-shipped in a
British ship, for the Japanese have not, so far as we
know, withdrawn the undertaking they gave months ago that
they would not interfere with British ships going to China,
even if carrying munitions, and we do not see why motor
boats should not, if so desired, be shipped on British
ships just as, presumably, shells, guns, or other similar
material could be shipped. If it were essential to stop
their inclusion in the cargo of a British ship the Hong
Kong authorities would presumably have to refuse to license
export by a British ship whilst allowing it
(b)
by a ship of any other nationality,
position?
(a) by rail or
is this a tenable
/As