CO129-575-15 Traffic of arms to China 24-1-1939 - 4-12-1939 — Page 125

No. F 10283/28/10.

Immediate.

FOREIGN OFFICE, S..1.

23rd September, 1939.

122

Dear Johnson

With reference to Ronald's letter No. F 10102/28/10

of the 13th September, I write to assure you that His

Majesty's Government will do nothing to impede the progress

of transmission to China of arms and materials for the

Chinese Government exported from the United States,

provided that the documents of the ships in which they are

carried clearly indicate their destination.

2. You will, of course, understand that in present

circumstances it is possible that these ships will be

stopped in order that their identity may be established

and their papers examined. If, however, this examination

proves satisfactory they will naturally be allowed to proceed

at once without further hindrance.

Mr. Herschel V. Johnson.

Yours sincerely

(80) Ashley

Clarke