CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917 — Page 454

C2484/1917.

FROM COLONIAL OFFICE TO INDIA OFFICE, DATED 26TH

JANUARY, 1917.

DOWNING STREET.

449

Sir,

26th January, 1917.

I am directed by Mr. Secretary Long to acknowledge the receipt of your letter P. 62, of the 12th January, enclosing a copy of a letter to the Foreign Office with regard to the exportation of arms and ammunition to China, Siam, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines and Portuguese Timor and

Hacao.

2.

As regards the self-governing Tominions, 'r. Long is prepared, on learning what procedure is to be adopted in the case of exports from the United Kingdom, to inform the Dominion Governments of the arrangements and ask them to bear them in mind, should it be necessary to consider proposals

to make such shipments from Daminion ports.

3. As regards the Colonies not possessing responsible government and Protectorates, licences for the exportation of prohibited goods are not granted by the Colonial

Governments without reference to the Secret of State and

the question, would, therefore, arise only in the case of arms and ammunition transhipped in the Straits Settlements ¿ and Hong Kong for the countryes in question.

4. The present position as regards transhipments in the ports of these two Colonies is as follows:-

(a). The Governors of both Colonies have instructions not to allow the transhipment of any arms and ammunition to

Siam.

(b). The Governors of both Colonies have instructions to detain all arme and ammunition transhipped in or in transit

The Under Secretary of State,

through

Political Department,

INDIA OFFICE. 8.V.