893.24/624: Telegram
The Consul at Rangoon (Brady) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 19—9:22 a.m.]
British steamship Beaconsfield has arrived here with approximately 8,000 tons of Russian war materials for China, estimated value 2,000,000 pounds sterling. Ship loaded at Odessa and was there at outbreak of European war. It was held 9 days at Istanbul by Turkish authorities and 2 days at Port Said pending decisions permitting it to proceed. Vessel was chartered by Chinese interests in Paris and shipment is understood to be under barter arrangement with Soviet. Proper invoices of materials are lacking but Burma customs are allowing steamer to discharge cargo which includes field guns and carriages, shells and parts, machine guns, small arms and ammunition. All reported to be of recent manufacture.