CO129-542-1 China- traffic in arms 31-10-1932 - 9-2-1934 — Page 68

My dear Beale,

JARDINE ENGINEERING CORPORATION, LIMITED.

SHANGHAI.

29th August, 1933.

68

Con. 38

IMPORTATION OF ARMS INTO KUANGTUNG.

With reference to your letter dated the 9th instant -

and my reply of the 14th idem, I have now received

advices from Hongkong Branch which indicate that Armaments

intended for Kuantung or other China ports from any country are

allowed to pass through Hongkong to destination upon the

production to the Hongkong Police of the original or a certified

copy of the Contract with the clients, no Huchaos being

necessary.

Importation into Kuangtung can of course be effected

under a South-West Political Council Huchao.

However, before any Armaments held in stock, or

manufactured, in any part of the British Empire, which of course

includes Hongkong, can be exported to Kuangtung or other China

ports, a Central Government Huchao, or the permission of the

Chinese Minister in London in the case of shipments from Great

Britain, is invariably required by the British Authorities at

post of shipment. This requirement we understand is not

rigidly enforced by several Continental Governments, resulting

in British Armaments intended for Kuangtung being penalised to

some extent.

As the Kuangtung Authorities appear to consider the

application to Nanking for Huchaos ae a "loss of face" apart fro

the inconvenience, delay, probable additional cost and the

advertising of their Armament purchases, they resent the demand

Louis Beale, Esq.,

H.M. Commercial Counsellor,

British Consulate General,

SHANGHAI.

for