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P 12834/5561/10.
194
IKITED DISTRIBU JOJ
Cypher telegram to Mr. Broadmead, (Shanghai).
Foreign Office, January 2nd, 1940. 10. 2.M.
No. 1.
Your telegram No. 608 [of the 28th June: Proposed bill to
amend Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899).
Governor of Hongkong has now indicated that real object of
bill, is not so much to facilitate work of Chinese Customs,
as to prevent embarrassment with Japanese when they seize or
force Customs to seize a British ship which has been officially
cleared for a port prohibited by treaty.
2. In view of the importence of avoiding unnecessary
friction with the Japanese I propose unless you are strong
objection, to inform Colonial Office that I agree to
introduction of proposed bill.
i
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