CO129-556-13 Traffic in arms to China 6-1-1936 - 13-1-1937 — Page 146

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8055/60/10)

BRITISH LEGATION,

PRAGUE.

19th December, 1935.

146

Dear Far Eastern Department,

Since we took the action requested in your

despatch No.218 ( 5538/60/10) of the 2nd of September,

we have three times on the 5th of October, on the 6th

of November and finally on the 14th of December -

requested a reply regarding the control of the passage

of arms through Hong Kong to China,

We have now been informed verbally that the

Czechoslovak Government wishes in the first place to

ascertain what is the attitude of other countries and

been promised a written reply to that effect.

The fact of the matter is that Skoda, Brünn and

other factories having a considerable amount of influence

are or may be affected, and past experience makes us

feel that it is unlikely that they would conform in fact,

even though they may eventually do so in theory.

We should therefore like to know what degree of importance you attach to our sending in periodic.

reminders.

Far Eastern Department,

Foreign Office,

S.W.

Yours ever,

PRAGUE CHANCERY,