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Identic No. 13.
from Mr. Arita
21st June 1939.
175
Your Excellency,
The Imperial Army have commenced fresh
strategic operations against the coast of Kwang tung
Province in China today, the 21st of June. These
operations are purely military, their object being
to deal a further blow to the Chiang régime by
sweeping away the enemy troops belonging to that
régime.
Although the Imperial army will devote
their best efforts to preventing injury to the
rights and interests of third countries in the
present operations, they desire that the British
Government and British authorities in China will
use special care to avoid causing unforeseen
occurrences, by fully understanding the intentions
of the Imperial Government and cooperating with the
efforts of the Imperial Army to prevent altogether
or to minimise accidental damage to British rights
and interests. They also request that the fullest
precautions may be taken to thwart manoeuvres on
the part of the Chiang régime to embroil third
countries in the war.
I would specially add that, with regard to
the practical desires of the Imperial Government for
the prevention of the occurrence of incidents, the
various points submitted in Foreign Minister [Prince] Konoye's Note Identic No. 37 of the 12th October
13 11716/10717/10-
1938
last should be recalled.
I avail, etc.
HACHIRO
ARITA
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
His Excellency,
Sir Robert Craigie, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
H.B.M. Ambassador.
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