CO129-542-1 China- traffic in arms 31-10-1932 - 9-2-1934 — Page 209

ATP.

COPY/26005/32.

206

OFFICE OF H. M. COMMERCIAL COUNSELLOR,

SHANGHAI.

10th December, 1932.

sir,

Overseas Trade "B"

No. 285 (Ref. A/48)

Tand 2 copies)

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy

Copy to Peking of an extract from a letter which I have recently received No.90 (A/48)

Copy to Nanking

from Mr. R. Vaughan Fowler, Managing Director of the Far-East

No.42 (A/48). Aviation Company, Limited, on the subject of the export from

the United Kingdom to China of Aircraft and aeronautical

accessories.

2.

Mr. Vaughan Fowler had previously several times

mentioned to me verbally the ease with which aircraft, arms and

ammunition could be imported into China from countries other

than the United Kingdom. He considered it probable that the

authorities of other countries were not very rigid in the

detailed application of rulee and that provided a general

huchao or permit was vouched for by the diplomatic represent-

ative in the country concerned, general releases were given

for all accessories. Because rigid interpretation was apt

to be given by the Board of Trade in London to Chinese

Government notifications of permits there was sometimes diffi-

culty in arranging the shipment of the full requirements of

the Chinese Government, with the result that the purchasers

went to a market from which they could obtain what they

wanted without difficulty.

3.

Not being fully aware of the considerations involved

in the grant of export licences by the Board of Trade, I am

unable to make any comment on Mr. Vaughan Fowler's statement.

I am, however, aware of the fact that American and Italian

aircraft are, at present enjoying conspicuous success in this

His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,

Department of Overseas Trade,

LONDON

market/.