CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8] — Page 153

ENCLOSURE No.1.

COPY.

153

From Dean to Wai Chiao Pu, dated May 5th, 1919.

Sir,

The Diplomatic Body in considering the present state of disunion between North and South China have been impressed by

the fact that the continued possibility of importing military

arms and ammunition into the country from abroad could not but exercise a disturbing influence, and as the friendly Powers here represented are firmly determined to discontenance any condition or action which might favour the reversion to hostilities I am desired by my Colleagues to make the following communication to

the Chinese Government.

The Governments of Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Russia, Brazil, France and Japan have agreed effectively to restrain their subjects and citizens from exporting to or in- porting into Chine arms and munitions of war and material destined exclusively for their manufacture until the establishet of a government whose authority is recognized throughout the whole country and also to prohibit during the above period the delivery of arms and munitions for which contracts have already been made but not

executed.

The Representatives ɗ the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Italy are also in full accord with the above policy, but await the instructions of their respective Governments before announcing the

adhesion of the latter.

The Foreign Representatives desire to express the earnest hope that the Chinese Government in keeping with this policy will on their part agree to suspend the issue of permits to import military arma, amaunition and munitions of war and will direct the Customs that the introduction of such articles is absolutely prohibited.

I avail, etc.