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MESSAGE
SECRET.
FROM: C.in C. China.
Interdepartmental Cypher.
IN.
DATE:
26.2.39.
RECD: 1417.
ADDRESSED: Consul General Canton repeated H.M. Ambassador
Tokyo 400, Admiralty, H.M.Ambassador Shanghai 483, N.L.0. Shanghai, Governor Hong Kong, Commodore Hong Kong.
IMPORTANT.
66. Your telegram 32 to me.
H.M.Ambassador Tokyo's 1187 13th October to Foreign
Office communicating terms of Japanese note number 37 of 12th October which requested inter alia
"That should British troops, vessels and aircraft find it necessary to carry out operations in this area Japanese Government request Japanese Authorities may be informed for the purpose of liaison communication with advance notice of about ten days or more".
The area referred to was Swatow to Pakhoi, and was divided by me into definite distinct categories Canton river above Bocca Tigris (in which rush movements were communicated), and south China Coast generally between above limits.
In my comment 567 to Admiralty on H.M. Ambassador Tokyo's telegram 1187 to Foreign office I stated (with reference to south China Coast generally) that "the suggestion that Japanese Naval Authorities should be kept informed of movements of British Warships and merchant vessels is in my opinion impracticable and unnecessary. I suggest you should inform Japanese Consul General Canton to above effect, and impress on him also that any damage to British Farships, shipping or property sustained as a result of action by Japanese forces must be the responsibility of the latter.
11
CIVIL LORD. D. of P.(3) SEC.
1st Lord 1st S.I. 2nd S.I.
NAVAL SEC.
3rd S.I.
4th S.I.
5th S.L.
D.C.N.S.
A.C.N.S.
P.A.S.(S).
.D.(3). D.N.I.(6). M.(10). M.35.
PARL SUC. M.34.
D.S.D.9
•
0.1.C.(3). Trade Div. (2). R.C.(3).
Foreign office
ar office Air Ministry
1337/26.
To be
sent by
M. Branch.
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