CO129-571-9 Sino-Japanese War- Canton-Kowloon railway 25-3-1938 - 28-2-1939 — Page 93

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CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies

to the Governor of Hong Kong.

(Sent 10 p.m., 3rd November, 1958.)

No.212.

RECŤ BUD Mat den echte man dut nira sigh mer sane mén part, vaca

My telegram No.204 of 19th October.

Question of

railway policy has been considered and decision reached is

that while it would be to our interest that railway should

be restored as soon as possible to through traffic

nevertheless if you are satisfied that any compliance with

possible Japanese demand for railway facilities for war

material would provoke paralysis of port and railway by

strike action such demand would have to be refused in the

defence interests of the Colony. Moreover even if declared

state of war existed requiring strict observation of rules

of neutrality His Majesty's Government would feel able on

grounds of international law to justify refusal of transit

facilities for munitions from belligerent country consigned

to its forces in China.

It is not doubted that refusal of such facilities

would not only meet with general public approval but would

also conform with the spirit of the League of Nations

resolutions.