CO129-585-9 Sino-Japanese conflict- Chinese custom stations 14-7-1940 - 17-12-1940 — Page 59

PROM

COPY FOR REGISTA ETION

RECEIVED 158

22 JUL 1940

CYPEER TELEGRAM

C. O. REGY

O.A. Q.

KONG ON

Dated 20th July. Received 7,341.m. 20th July, 1940,

No. 440.

Addressed Colonial Office No.440

repeated to Shanghel No. 141.

General Officer Commanding advises

that Chinese maritime customs Tegnels now in Hong Kong harbour should be disarmed to forestall possibility of seizure by hostile persons. understand custona would head over those arms under protest pleading force majeurs but since customs administration is not only Chinese Government Department but also hes semi- International states, political aspect is important. Unless instructed to the contrary I propose to present demand to surrender or 25th July.

For status of these vessels please

96/53838/10/37 compars Northcote's secret despatet

despatch of 17th

Decembar 1937.

Barry To Stul - 23.7.40.