SECRET.
G.S.0.1.(0).
China Command.
430
Ref:-G/1721/1.
Memorandum on Documents seized in
Offices of the Central Trust of China.
91
1.
From a perusal of the attached catalogue of files, and a cursory examination of the materials in situ, it is clear that we have here a branch of the Chinese Government's Intelligence Service. This particular branch is in close touch with SHANGHAI and CHUNGKING, and its activities are both numerous and widespread. The same office also dealt with arms shipments from Europe and America, and handled financial transactions of every description, this last being of course its ostensible and principle role.
2. The vast majority of the files are in Chinese, and appear to be of either political, financial, or economic interest. Items of purely military intelligence are comparatively few, and they seem principally to be of historical value. It is not considered that a detailed perusal of these military intelligence files would be worth the time and labour involved, as G. S. "I" Hong Kong are now in close touch with Chinese G.S."I" at KWEILIN from whom we receive regular, more recent, and better co-ordinated military material. The local S.S.people also receive from their own sources the same sort of military intelligence as is to be found in these files. From a purely military X point of view therefore, there is no objection to the return
F
of these documents to the Chinese after copies have been taken of any particular interest. Such likely files have been marked in red pencil on the
catalogues; but as few of the entries are dated, it is not always possible to judge whether these would yield information of real value.
3. It will be noticed that there are a number of documents dealing with contracts for the purchase and export of arms from Germany. It is suggested for consideration that photostatic or certified copies of some of these (or better still originals) might be given confidentially to the Japanese Consul-General. We know from Most Secret ! Sources that the Germans are straining every nerve to incite the Japanese against us and to induce them to believe that Germany is now as always, anxious, for Japan's friendship and co-operation. There is still a large and influential pro-German clique in Japan, who have always been most reluctant to believe that Germany ever supplied arms to the Chinese Government, and who would prefer an understanding with Germany to one with Britain. But even this faction's credulity and wishful thinking would be irrevocably shattered, if we could produce genuine contracts for the large-scale purchase of arms by the Chinese from Germany, at a time when the TOKYO-BERLIN Axis was in full force. We could then point out to the Japanese that if Germany was capable of thus deceiving her ally at a time when there was no thought of the German-Soviet agreement, or reason for mistrust, how can Japan now place reliance on what Germany says?
Even the most ardent believer in the Axis would find it difficult to keep his faith unshaken.
/The Japanese have........
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.