(F 2792/118/10).
48
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
31st March, 1939.
Sir,
I am directed by Viscount Halifax to refer
to Air Ministry letter No. S 42436/S6 of the 20th
March, regarding the proposals for the establishment
of aircraft factories in Hong Kong.
2. Lord Halifax agrees with the view expressed
by the Air Council that the terms of his telegram No.
9 to Tokyo of the 10th January last may be open to
misinterpretation as the relevant passage errs somewhat
in brevity being based on the assumption that assembled
military aircraft exported in this case would be in
a condition to engage in hostilities and would be
intended by the Chinese Government for war purposes. He
is therefore addressing as the Air Council suggest, a
further communication to Tokyo, expanding the previous
telegram. Lord Halifax would however deprecate going into
the matter in any detail or committing His Majesty's
Government to the exact phraseology of the draft Hague
Rules, Article 216 of which is not in all respects
satisfactory.
3.
Copies of this letter are being sent to the
Admiralty, War Office, Colonial Office and Burma Office.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
The Under-Secretary of State for Air,
Air Ministry.
(Sd.) N. B. RONALD