Ho. 482
BRITISH EMBASSY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
26th April, 1935
261
(28)
sir,
with reference to your despatch N. 172
(F 1433/60/10) of March 6th, on the subject of the passage of arms through Hong Kong in transit from the United States to Chins, I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of a note dated April 19th which I have received from the Eecretary of State in reply to a note based upon that despatch.
2.
The Division of western European Affairs telephoned to ask that someone from His Majesty's Embassy should take delivery of this note personally in order that supplementary oral explanations might be furnished. Mr. Joseph Green, the official in the Division who deals with these matters, stated to the member of the staff who went down that American firma had been complaining for some time that, as the result of the general policy pursued by the United States Government in respect of the China ares traffic, America's quondam market in various directions was simply passing into the hands of her foreign rivala.
3.
Mr. Green when asked whether he
had any
reason to suppose that arms of other than American origin were in actual fact to-day getting through the Hong Kong "loophole" replied in the affirmative.
The Right Honourable
Sir John Simon, 0.C.§.I., K.G.V.0...,
Etc. etc. etc.
United/
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.