CO129-573-2 Export of torpedo boats to China 14-5-1938 - 5-10-1938 — Page 64

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above manner, but they have suggested that in order to keep technically within the requirements of Article 8 of Hague Convention XIII, the boats should be dismantled in some slight way (e.g. by taking off their propellers), on the technical

ground that we should then be dealing with parts of vessels,

to which the Article does not refer. In the view of the

Admiralty, however, this would be an undesirable expedient, since it would be such an obvious manoeuvre, even if it were readily possible as a practical proposition, that the Japanese might well feel all the more resentment at our adopting it.

I am sending copies of this letter to Henderson

and Shackle, who will doubtless let you have their comments. If there is any disagreement between Departments a small" conference will probably be necessary to settle the question

in time.

Yours sincerely,

Jamest