893.113/1419: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 20—2:45 a.m.]
Referring to my despatch of May 24 and previous correspondence concerning aircraft situation. I understand Cantonese authorities contemplate large purchases of aircraft in near future and wish to obtain American machines but are unwilling to apply for export permits through Nanking Government. Cantonese insist that British authorities permit exportation of unarmed military planes without Nanking permits whereas only nonmilitary planes are permitted to leave the United States under the same conditions. As American manufacturers are evidently not able to compete with British in these circumstances I venture to suggest that the Department endeavor to [Page 593] ascertain just what the British attitude now is respecting the shipment of military planes to China especially to Canton via Hong Kong.
Despatch follows.27
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