CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4] — Page 15

Sir,

CO

11253

14

BRITISH EMBASSY.

MECS TOKY 13 APR 12

February 21st, 1912.

I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch

Separate and Secret of February 7th, 1912 expanding the telegram which you were good enough to send me on January 15th relative to the sale of arms and ammunition by Japanese to the Chinese Revolutionaries for shipment to Canton.

Immediately on receipt of your telegram I personally addressed myself to the Minister for Foreign Affairs who informed me that instructions had been issued to the proper Authorities to put a stop to this traffic in arms. I am afraid, however, that the instructions have not in all eases been carefully carried out, neither is the traffic confined to merchants of Japanese nationality. It has come to my knowledge that English firms of the highest repute have been supplying arms to the highest bidder amongst the contending factions. Some of these arms have been purchased here, others ordered locally by Chinese agents and sent direct from England to China.

A copy of this despatch has been sent to the Secre- tary of State for Foreign Affairs.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

(sd) CLAUDE M.MACDONALD.

+ Excellency,

ir F.D.Lugard.

etc,.

G.O.M.G. etc,. etc,..

C.B.

GOVERNOR.

HONGKONG.