CO129-556-13 Traffic in arms to China 6-1-1936 - 13-1-1937 — Page 121

53548

13

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

HONG KONG.

121

CONFIDENTIAL.(3)

3rd April, 1936.

112

53548

(+1)

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of encl. to 150

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the second

paragraph of Mr. Malcolm MacDonald's confidential(2) despatch of 29th August, 1935, enquiring what further reply should be given to the Foreign Office in connection with paragraph 5 of their letter of 12th August, 1935 and to enclose for your information a monthly table of exports of arms and ammunition to Macau during 1934 and 1935.

2.

This table includes in the quantities shown two consignments of "in transitu" cargo on through bills of

lading; these two consignments comprised twenty-four cases of safety cartridges and one case of shotguns.

3.

All the remaining quantities shown were

exported directly from this Colony to Macau from stocks held

by local dealers; but each consignment was covered by an import permit issued by the Government of Macau.

4.

I am advised that I am not in a position to question the bona fides of the import permits of the Government of Macau, which are accepted equally with the huchaos of the Chinese Government; and, while it is true that the goods in question were not consigned to the Government of Macau directly, I am not aware of any restrictions on the export of arms to that territory.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

J.H. THOMAS, M.P. &c.

&C.,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Alaldecot

Governor, &c.,

&C.,