CO129-552-6 Traffic of arms to China 2-1-1935 - 27-12-1935 — Page 197

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Statute on the Freedom of Transit; in Sir Samuel Hoare's

opinion the production of such a contract can be required

notwithstanding, since it is expressly provided in Article 5

of the Statute that "Each Contracting State shall be entitled

"to take reasonable precautions to ensure that

"are really in transit."

4.

goods.....

It will also be observed that the United States

Government, in intimating that they are prepared provisionally

to accept the suggested procedure, have asked that they may be

furnished, from time to time, with information regarding

shipments of arms from Belgium and Switzerland to China via

Hong Kong. At present the Governor of Hong Kong renders

six-monthly statements of arms passing through the

Colony to China, and copies of these statements are supplied to

this Department. From the entry into force of the contemplated

measures of control, Sir Samuel Hoare would propose, provided

that Mr. Secretary MacDonald sees no objection, to communicate

informally to the United States Embassy in London the figures

supplied by the Governor of Hong Kong in respect of Belgium

and Switzerland, the United States and all countries (including

the United Kingdom) combined.

5.

Mr. Secretary MacDonald will further observe that

mention is made in the note from the State Department of shipments

of arms from Hong Kong via Macao to China. It is to be

presumed that the export of war material from Hong Kong is only

permitted, as in the case of the United Kingdom, to a foreign

Government or its accredited representatives: and that, in the

case of other arms, due regard is had both to the size of the

consignment and to the standing of the consignee. Sir Samuel

Hoare would, however, be glad if enquiries might be made of the

Governor of Hong Kong in this matter, and also if he might be

informed in due course, what answer should in Mr. MacDonald's

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