Strictly Confidential.
77
MEMORANDUM of Interview with Mr. von CHAUVIN and Colonel Burkhardt.
Mr. von Chauvin, a Gunner subaltern Cantonese language student,
called on me on the 13th and stated that he had had long talks
with the Mayor of Canton, Tseng Yang Fu, who was very anxious
to obtain aeroplanes, arms and ammunition. The Mayor had
asked von Chauvin to come to Hongkong to see what he could do.
He had reported to Colonel Burkhardt, who had sent him on to
me. He was rather hazy as to what was wanted, and seemed to
think that I could produce what was required out of the hat.
j2.
I told him that if he really had authority to act in
regard to these matters, Jardine Matheson & Co., seemed the
most likely firm to approach.
3.
Colonel Burkhardt, whom I have known in various parts
of China during the last fourteen years, called on me on 17th
September, 1937, and stated that the Chinese were very anxious
to obtain war materials from us. Had I done anything for von
Chauvin who he had told to visit me?
A
I explained the position to Colonel Burkhardt as
well as I understood it, and suggested that as the delivery of
war materials to China might well be most difficult, we should
not encourage the Chinese unduly to expect them.
5.
I summarised to him the memoranda of my interviews
of the 16th with Colonel Li Fong and Mr.J. J. Paterson, and he
agreed with me that, while our general attitude should be
sympathetic and helpful, we should do nothing which might be
construed as a promise to get what they wanted.
NOTE: I think it is not worth while to take undue risks
merely for the sake of possible eventual re-armament orders,
at least unless there is certainty that China will be in a
position to re-arm, and, being in that position, will be
inclined to favour the United Kingdom more than hitherto.
There is also doubt whether it is wise to encourage China
to/
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