CO129-564-1 Sino-Japanese War- landing of foreign military aircraft in Hong Kong 8-10-1937 - 26-12-1937 — Page 24

0803 NATIO

SCHEME

ED MEN

b.

SECRET

10. 24

The War Office,

Whitehall,

S.W.1.

29 October, 1937.

Dear Howard

With reference to Colonial Office Cable No.217 to the 0.A. G. Hong Kong stating that he is empowered to compel aircraft making unauthorized flights over the colony to land, would you mind if we discussed this at the O.D. C. meeting on Tuesday 2nd.

In my opinion the cable may be read as

authorizing the 0.A. G. to engage foreign aircraft, in certain circumstances, in accordance with his legal rights without indicating that it may be politically inexpedient for him to do so. You will remember

that a similar situation arose in Malta in 1936 (vide D. P. R.78).

I am sending copies of this letter to Syfret, Strafford and Dykes.

F. J. Howard Esq, 0. B. E.,

Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

S. W. 1.

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