COPY FOR REGISTRATION
CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
194
Dated 4th December.
Received 4.37 p.m. 4th December, 1939.
what interference ath what treaty
nights?
(70)
No. 431.
Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies Telegram
Tokyo Telegram No. 99 Shanghai Telegram No. 170.
Japanese Consulate General Hong Kong has preferred
request from "Japanese authorities Canton" for permission to buy through Japanese Consulate General Hong Kong 75 revolvers
As there und ten mausers for their police force at Canton.
are ample facilities for direct importation from Japan or
Formosa I suspect this may be indirect attempt to obtain
admission that we condone Japanese interference with
treaty rights.
permit.
our
Accordingly I am reluctant to give requested
On the other hand (a) up to the occupation of
Kuangtung this Government was an open channel for Chinese
Government's munitions although so far as I know none were
? ?
purchased in this colony (b) In May last local Chinese
magistrate across border was given permit to buy forty pistols and revolvers in Hong Kong for arming provincial police against
bandits and Japanese may be aware of this and be setting
trap: see your telegram No. 109.
Grateful for your advice in this matter.
60