CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 426

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sir,

APPENDIX III.

Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor,

Pong Kong

23rd June, 1926.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret despatch of the 17th of February, regarding the defence of Hong Kong against oversea attack, and of your Secret despatch of the 18th of February relating to the aerial defence of the Colony and the provision of

a site for an aerodrome.

x

2. The whole question of the defence of Hong Kong is being examined in the first instance by a Sub-Committee of the Chiefs of Staffs of the three Services, and your

despatches have been referred to the Committee for its

consideration.

3. I understand that, so far as the proposals for

an Air Force are concerned, the view expre.sed in the joint memorandum which you enclosed in your despatch

of the 17th of February as to the effect of the Washington

Treaty is open to question, and that a proposal will

shortly be made to the Committee of Imperial Defence that

the interested Governments should be invited to a

conference with a view to reaching agreed conclusions as

to the interpretation of Article 19 of the Treaty.

Pending the results of such a conference it would not

appear that the proposals for the creation of an Air

Force or for the purchase of land for an aerodrome can

usefully be pursued.

I have etc.

(Signed) L. S. AMERY.

not reproduced.

x Appendix II.

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