CO129-564-11 Road communications with Canton. Includes 1 photograph depicting- Bridge over Shum Chun River- China. Dated... 20-8-1937 - 18-1-1938 — Page 33

CYPHER TELEGRAI from the Governor of Hong Kong to the

Secretary of Stato for the Colonies,

Dated 4th November, 1937,

Received 4,6 p.m. 4th November.

10

33

(Admny, 13

a.m. 14

BIT

to

holog

I FORTANT.

No.268

Secret.

Addressod to Secretary of State for the Colonios No.268

4th November repeated to Hanking Telegram No.52 copios to

General Officer Commanding Canton Commodore,

Consul General Canton has informed me this morning

that Canton Military Authorities have expressed the intention

? 'londay next to close Canton Rivor to all traffic drawing over

7 feet. otive is the fear that if access is permitted to

vessels of greator draught Japanese war vessels may come up and

bombará Canton. Consul General and local naval exports consider

unis most improbable.

Proposed action will seriously affect Hong Kong

trade and would increase commercial embarrassment which is

already serious owing to overcrowded warehousen.

Consul General

has consulted this Government as to means of bringressure to

bear on the military authorities to permit passage of vessels

drawing up to at least 11 feet.

Representation that

extentions of Hong Kong Canton Road to Chinese border would not

be undertaken in the event of unreasonable action prejudicial to

shipping being taken by Chinose military authorities would

presumably have considerable effect: but of course no such

pressure can be employed unless and until you approve such

9. extension (see my telegram Secret No.267). I shall be grateful

for earliest possible intimation of your viowe on proposala

(One) road extension (2) method of utilising (1) for purpose of

Officer Administering the Government Secret

07/53089/4/37

pressure .

telegram No.217 is relevant.