CO129-553-5 Japanese activities in Macao and Canton 31-1-1935 - 22-11-1935 — Page 125

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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.)

SECRET.

C.0.S.367.

COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

CHIEFS OF STAFF SUB-COMMITTEE.

MACAO.

Japanese offer to Government of Portuguese Colony of Macao to buy large Concession there including

the development of a new inland port.

I.

Copy of a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong

to the Secretary of State for the Colonies,

dated March 15th, 1935.

Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies No. 65 of the 15th March, repeated to Peking Mission Canton Trade Commissioner.

Your telegram No. 33 Begins: Generally project if carried would almost certainly give Japan measure of control in Macao which would appear to be most undesirable from the point of view of Great Britain and this Colony.

It might well enable Japan to exert pressure in South China

in order to increase trade therewith through Macao at the

expense of the present Hong Keng trade.

Very doubtful if Macao could be principal deep-sea port but it could at some expense be dredged to take ships (corrupt group) ? up to 5,000 tons leading to probable diversion from Heng Kong of much coastal (corrupt group)

Japanese shipping. Macao has considerable reclaimed area which might be used for aerodrome probably to the prejudice of Hong Kong (corrupt group? aviation) and other interests.

If Great Britain assisted in the matter of the

waterworks Macao might well resist other proposals.

not reproduced.