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*

COPY.

83 (C.S.0.117/1680/31c.)

SECFET. SAFE HAND.

bpied to:-

H.3..

Ambassador, Tokyo No.61. H.3.M.Ambassador, shanghai No.92.

228

Government House,

Hong long.

30th July, 1940.

H.B.M. Consul-General, Canton No.43.

gecretary of State.

Commodore, Hong Kong.

sir,

With reference to previous correspondence terminating with my secret letter No.49 of 21st May, 1940, regarding the immobilisation of certain Chinese armed vessels now lying in Hong Kong harbour, I have the honour to inform you that upon receipt of your telegram No.15 of 12th July,1940, steps were taken to procure the removal of all arms and ammunition forming part of the stores and equipment of these vessels to the Government gunpowder depot, where they will be held in safe custody pending the termination of hostilities. Each commanding officer was allowed to retain three rifles and three Mauser automatic pistols with 600 rounds of anmunition for guard purposes.

2. Copies of the receipts given to the commanding officers of the vessels and copies of lists of additional naval stores removed from the vessels by the South West Transportation Company and stored in the Government gunpowder depot are enclosed herewith.

3. Copies of this letter are being sent to His Majesty's Ambassadors at Tokyo and Shanghai, His Majesty's Consul- General, Canton, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Commodore, Hong Kong.

I have, etc. (Signed)

Colonial Office Reference No. 7230 11/40

1280

Officer Administering

the Government.

With the compliments of the U.6. of S.

Date

14/10/40

Reference

Colonial Office

6.0 letter above

no.

of 18

18 June 1940

His Britannic Majesty's Diplomatic Mission,

CHUNG KING.

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