53548/39.

Sir,

199

24

May, 1939.

4. 5. 39.

I am directed by Mr. Secretary MacDonald to

transmit to you, to be laid before Viscount Halifax,

a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong

regarding a request received from the head of the

Chinese Police Force at Shum Chun for permission to

purchase certain arms for the force in Hong Kong.

A copy of the Secretary of State's

telegram of the 22nd December, 1938, referred to in

the despatch was forwarded to the Foreign Office in

the letter from this Department of the 31st December,

1938.

2. The Secretary of State is inclined to think

that permission to obtain in Hong Kong arms of the

limited type and amount suggested by the Governor

might have a beneficial effect in helping the

Chinese police authorities to maintain order on the

Hong Kong-Chinese border, and, subject to any

observations that Lord Halifax may have to make, he

THE UNDE SECRETARY OF STATE,

POREIGN OFFICE.

would

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