CO129-575-15 Traffic of arms to China 24-1-1939 - 4-12-1939 — Page 14

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only outlet from Canton is by means of the river.

Their naval units are active on the river sua

pupeliounteryerde, and there would thus

be a fair chance of such consignments of arms being

discovered by the Japanese. Hong Kong's present

attitude is one of neutrality, and the discovery of

any surreptitious export of arms to the Chinese,

particularly in circumstances which would enable

the Portuguese to deny any official knowledge of

the practice, would gravely compromise Hong Kong

vis-à-vis the Japanese.

? Copy of 67 to Foreign Office saying

that subject to their observations the Secretary

of State proposes to inform the Governor that he

concurs in the action taken.

A.N. Galsworthy

30th May, 1939.

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