CO129-552-6 Traffic of arms to China 2-1-1935 - 27-12-1935 — Page 233

COPY.

(F 3555/60/10).

No.323.

(13/35).

ree il

Sir,

39

British Embaasy,

229

Brussels.

29th May, 1935.

With reference to Mr. Orde's letter of May 13th

(F 2802/60/10) and connected correspondence on the subject

of the export of arms from Belgium to China, the United States

Chargé d'Affaires here informs me that some days ago he made

oral representations to the Political Director at the

Belgian Ministry for Foreign Affairs in general support of my

note of February 11th lust. H. e Tellier returned the

usual reply, namely that the Belgian Government considered

that the question of the regulation of the trade in arms

could best be governed by means of a general convention, and

that an instrument of that nature was at present under

consideration by a sub-Committee of the Disarmament Commission.

I understand, however, that H. Le Tellier made the very

important addition that, although such a convention had not

yet been concluded, no arms were at present being exported

from Belgium to China unless the import licence of the

Chinese Government had previously been issued. M. Le Tellier

gave Mr. Sussdorff to understand that the Belgian Government

had made it clear to arms manufacturers in this country that

they would be unable to give diplomatic support in the event of

difficulties being encountered in obtaining payment for arms

excorted without a Chinese Government huchao, and this wurning

had been sufficient to deter would-be exporters from running

the risk of non-payment for the arms supplied.

1 have, etc.

(Sgd)

ESMOND OVEY.

The Right Honourable

Sir John Simon, G.C.S.I., K.C.v.o.,

etc.. etc..

etc.