CO129-552-6 Traffic of arms to China 2-1-1935 - 27-12-1935 — Page 375

XXXXX CONFIDENTIAL.

2370

370

3&

Copy to Peking (4).

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

14th January, 1935.

Sir,

(80)

I have the honour to refer to your

· 33740/34 Confidential despatch of 5th December, 1934, trans-

mitting a copy of a despatch from the Foreign Office

to His Majesty's Ambassador, Washington, and to state

that there appears to be a possibility that arms

contracted for in China without the approval of the

Central Government and ordered from the United States

are declared to the authorities of the latter as being

destined for Hong Kong only and are by them permitted

to be exported on the assumption that Hong Kong, as a

British Dependency, will observe the policy of His

Majesty's Government and will require evidence of

compliance with the regulations of the Central Govern-

ment of China before allowing the arms to go forward to

China. Particulars of one such consignment are

enclosed.

2.

It is suggested that if the United States

really desire to fall into line with Great Britain in

this matter they should follow the practice instituted

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.,

&C.,

&C.,

&C.,