CO129-571-15 Sino-Japanese War- manufacture and import of aircraft to China 18-1-1938 - 5-1-1939 — Page 182

In any further communication on this subject, please quote

No.

F 1708/298/10

and address-

not to any person by name

but to-

"The Under-Secretary of State,"

Foreign Office,

London, S.W.1.

Sir,

FOREIGN OFFICE.

S.W.1.

17th February, 1938.

19.

182

14.

With reference to your letter No. 53846/38 of the

10th February, enclosing a copy of telegram No. 30 of the

1st February from Hong Kong, I am directed by Mr. Secretary

Eden to inform you that he agrees, subject to the concurrence

of the Air Ministry, that the assembly of the three ambulance

aircraft referred to should be sanctioned, provided that the

impossibility of their being used for effective military

purposes can be verified before assembly, and that a

guarantee is given that they will not be converted for

such purposes. He assumes that they will be clearly

marked with the Red Cross before leaving Hong Kong territory.

2. Mr. Eden considers, however, that the assembly of

the three passenger aircraft should not be sanctioned, as it

is virtually impossible to ensure that they shall not be used

for military purposes.

3. Copies of this letter are being sent to the

Admiralty, the Air Ministry and the War Office.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Cw. Orde

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.