CO129-564-10 Aeroplane assembly depot- proposed establishment 7-9-1937 - 14-1-1938 — Page 71

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to spend all her resources on war material which, while

possibly lengthening hostilities, will not make the result

any more decisively Chinese. In the most highly organised

country enthusiasm for war wanes if it becomes long drawn out.

I am not very happy about these orders from the Mayor

of Canton. One is never sure how much Central Government

authority these local officials have in any particular matter.

It seems that Malley does not know of the Mayor's

efforts and the Mayor does not know of Malley's.

Malley

told me that he had full authority from the Central Government

to buy all the aviation equipment he considered necessary, but

he showed me only a written authorisation sugned Meiling Soong

Chiang (Madame Chiang-kai-Shek) to the effect that he was

authorised to expand the office of Kwong Wing, the Chinese

sent down from Nanking to assist in importing and fowarding

aviation materials.

Hong Kong.

17th September, 1937.

(SGD.) G.C.PELHAM