CO129-574-14 Collection of Chinese customs in Hong Kong 2-11-1938 - 13-1-1939 — Page 23

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned

to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]

From CHINA.

'Decypher. Mr. Allen (Shanghai).

2nd November, 1938.

D.

By wireless

R. 5.30 p.m.

No. 1579.

2nd November, 1938.

2nd November, 1938.

23 END

Inspector General of Customs has communicated to us confidentially

a copy of a letter dated November 1st addressed to the Commissioner

of Customs Kowloon.

1. Expressing fear that de facto authorities at Canton will

probably introduce new tariff throughout the Province.

2.

Emphasising that Kowloon Customs being in British territory

could not plead force majeure as a reason for compliance but that voluntary compliance would not only call forth strong displeasure

Chinese Gov. of de jure grp. undee. ] but might also be embarrassing to Hongkong

Government in that their acquiescence in change might be taken to imply recognition of the new Canton administration.

3.

Suggesting accordingly that in the event of the intro- duction of new tariff it is likely that Hongkong authorities, to avoid complications arising from possible diverse instructions and

ma

de ses

general embarrassment, to cease collecting revenue at Kowloon railway station and to collect instead at Shumchun (the frontier) or at

Canton and:

Kowloon

4. Instructing Emports Commissioner to seek an interview

with the Governor of Hongkong and ascertain informally the attitude likely to be adopted should the questions outlined above come up

for consideration.

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 1579 2nd November; repeated to Hongkong telegram No. 299, Tokyo telegram No. 1026.