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forthcoming call at Hsinkang of the Blue Funnel ship 8.8.
"Automedon", sent a telegram protesting against this and
against the trans-shipping at Singapore of the cargo on the
"Automedon" destined for Hsinkang; the delay at Shanghai of
the "Denodocus" was "entirely the ship's fault for which the
Blue Funnel must be held responsible". However Blue Funnel
were informed by their Chinese agents in Shanghai that the
"Demodocus" case would be settled "very soon indeed". They
have until the morning of 28 March to decide whether their
next sailing to China, that of s.s. "Menesthens", should take
place. No reply has been received from the Chinese to our
Mission's request for further information.
I
ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
3. The following additional points might usefully be discussed
at the meeting:
(a) Shipping embarzo
The Governor of Hong Kong has suggested that the whole question of visits of British shipping to China needs considera-
tion; from Hong Kong's point of view the fewer British subjects
who visit China either by ship or other means of transport and
become potential hostages, the better. Blue Funnel's local agents have pointed out to him, however, that the Chinese regard
Blue Funnel as under an obligation at any rate to complete the programme of voyages already scheduled and to deliver the cargoes for which they have already contracted. They fear
that if Blue Funnel were to suspend voyages completely, the
/result
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