135
Alternatively, they might declare war formally, when
they would be in a position to interfere with British
shipping in the Far East and legally to harm British
interests more than they are in present circumstances.
The Committee therefore recommended the Cabinet
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"not to entertain the suggestion of the Chinese
"Government that the Government of Hong Kong should
"allow the assembly, within the territory of the
'colony, of aircraft shipped thither in parts, and
"that such aircraft, when assembled should be flown
"from Hong Kong to Chinese territory. We recommend
"the maintenance in this respect of the present
"arrangements under which any aircraft reaching
"Hongong in parts and destined for China are
"forvarde ä in unassembled condition by such means
"of transport as are available.
"If this recommendation is adopted by the
"Cabinet, we suggest that the Secretary of State for
"Foreign Affairs should be authorised to communicate
"it to Mr. Howe by telegram, the text of a draft of
"which is given in Appendix 6 to this report."
4.
The Cabinet approved this recommendation and
the draft telegram was despatched (No. 469 to Nanking
of the 18th November). It contained the phrases
"His Majesty's Government are opposed to assembly
"in British territory of aeroplanes for delivery
"in China.
it seems to us that a favourable
"decision would not benefit China but might result
Q A
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"'in fewer and not more aeroplanes reaching her owing
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