9 MARCH 1920 Head Quarters, China Command, Hong Kong. 9th March 1920. Sir, With reference to your letter No. 496/1019 dated 14th February 1920, regarding the formation of a commercial seaplane service, I am directed to say in reply that while in sympathy with the project of establishing commercial flying, the General Officer Commanding is bound by the principle that aircraft may not fly over defended areas. In putting this principle into practise, the General Officer Commanding considers that the matter is one of definition of the phrase “flying over”. The construction he puts on the phrase is that aircraft should not be afforded (within reasonable limits) better opportunities of observing or photographing defences than those obtaining before the introduction of movement by air. It is therefore, in his opinion, desirable to establish certain restrictions which he believes will be in accord with probable civil regulations as regards routes and landing places. The proposed regulations are outlined in the attached schedule. In suggesting the regulations he wishes me to lay stress on his desire merely to state what in his opinion aircraft may not do, rather than laying down what they should do. I am to emphasise that these regulations should be considered as temporary only pending more definite instructions from War Office and that they do not refer to aircraft other than commercial seaplanes. No doubt opportunity will be available to reconsider this question at a later date should it arise. The delay in replying is regretted. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (Signed) R.M. Crosse, Lt. Colonel, General Staff, China Command.
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