CO129-542-1 China- traffic in arms 31-10-1932 - 9-2-1934 — Page 214

211

B.C.W. COPY.

26005/1932.

BY BAG.

FOR DENTIAL.

Overseas Trade "B" No. 297 (Ref. A/14) (and 2 copies)

Copy to Peking No. 97 (Ref. A/14) (and 1 copy)

Copy to Sub-Leg- ation, Nanking. No. 48 (Ref. A/14)

List of Air craft.

sir,

OFFICE OF H.M. COMMERCIAL COUNSELLOR,

SHANGHAI.

22nd December, 1932.

I have the honour to transmit to you here-

with copy of a list of aircraft which have been

imported into China during the year 1932. This list

has been communicated to me from a confidential

source and it will, no doubt, reach you through

other channels.

2.

It is interesting to note that of the

total of 109 aircraft imported in 1932, eighty-two

of these machines were British, sixteen American,

six Italian, and five French. Forty-four of the

British machines appear to have been imported by

the Canton authorities, while the sixteen American

and six Italian machines were all imported by the

Nanking Government.

3.

The conclusion to be drawn from these

figures is that, while British machines appear to

be popular in the South there is no demand for them

by the Central Government authorities, who are

at present inclined to other machines, mainly, I

believe, because they have only American or Italian

official advice available on this subject.

I have the honour to be,

with the highest respect,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

(Sgd.) LOUIS BEALS.

COMMERCIAL COUNSELLOR.

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

Department of Overseas Trade,

London.