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COPY. NC. 22.
Copied also to:
Embassy Shanghai_No.113, H.M. Ambassador Tokyo No.7 Consul-General Canton No.2,
Secretary of State for the Colonies, The Commodore, Hongkong.
F13033
3361/959
ί δ
Sir,
BRITISH EMBASSY,
CHUNGKING.
April 27th, 1940.
221
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch No. 21 P.M. Secret, of the 4th April, enclosing a copy of your despatch No.86 K:PM. of the 4th of December last, concerning the immobilisation of certain Chinese armed vessels now in Hongkong harbour.
I communicated Your Excellency's intention to the Chinese Government on the 20th of April and yesterday, when I was calling upon him, the Minister for Foreign Affairs referred to the matter. He said that the Chinese Government had been much upset to learn of the steps that were to be taken in order to disarm these vessels, which had now been lying inoffensively in Hongkong harbour for over two years, and in particular for some eight months since our declaration of war against Germany. During all this time it had not been considered necessary to take any measures against them and the decision to do so now would make a very unfortunate impression upon the Chinese mind. He ended by making a strong personal appeal to the effect that, if it were not essential to proceed as proposed, Your Excellency should not
do so.
appeal.
I explained the position to him, but he reiterated his
It occurs to me that, in these circumstances, it may be possible to leave the matter in abeyance until the Japanese revert to it, when it might be reconsidered.
(Sga.) ARCHIBALD CLARK KERR.
I am, etc.,
His Excellency,
etc.,
etc.
Sir Geoffry A.S. Northcote, K.C.M.G.,
Governor of Hongkong.
etc.,
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