CO129-585-10 Assembly of aeroplanes in Hong Kong 8-1-1940 - 31-7-1940 — Page 56

S. 590/S.6.

Dear Howe,

SECRET

Februs February, 1940.

56

Thank you for your letter of the 14th (reference

F 763/80/10) about the assembly of four commercial transport

planes in Hong Kong for delivery to the Chinese Government.

So far as we are concerned we regard the matter as

one which must be decided ultimately on diplomatic grounds.

All we wanted to do was to let you have the full facts from the

technical point of view showing the case that could be made out

for agreeing to the request if you decided to accept the

Governor's recommendation.

We certainly do not want to make a submission to the

Cabinet; but if you regard the matter as still governed by

the decision of the 17th November, 1937, even in the case of

civil aircraft I would suggest that the Governor should be told

that in no case can we agree to such assembly.

We should like to be told when applications are in

fact put forward and see the reply you send, in order to keep

in touch with the situation;

R. G. Howe, Esq., C.M.G.,

Foreign Office,

S.W.1.

but it seems hardly worth while

/for