CO129-564-10 Aeroplane assembly depot- proposed establishment 7-9-1937 - 14-1-1938 — Page 93

(F 6687/31/10)

CONFIDENTIAL.

14 93

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

24th September, 1937.

8

Dear Gent,

I was just about to write to you on the subject of

the scheme for an aeroplane assembly depôt at Hong Kong

when your official letter No. 53846 of the 22nd September

was received. Although there seems now to be no question

but that this particular project will come to nothing,

it may be useful if I give you a statement of our present

views on the general position.

While it is true that a state of war does not as

yet exist, it would seem wise for Hong Kong, in view of

the special and rather delicate position which the Colony

occupies, to act in this matter as if a state of war did

exist. If we are not careful over such questions,

may force the Japanese into declaring a state of war and

claiming belligerent rights, which, of course, we do not

we

want.

G. E. J. Gent, Esq., D. S. O., 0. B. E.

The /