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COPY for H. D. Bryan, Esq., For Office, with Mr. W.Ninna's compliments.
*LJ17305/45.
Dear General
Naval Law Franch,
ADERAINY,
Queen Anne's Mansions, St.Jason's Park,
London, S. To le
20th Nova bez, 1945.
Inter 166
(kb.s)
P10582
26 NOV
1945
You wrote to Chiswell under reference 3.F.K.480, on the 15th October enclosing a cabl fra: M.V.T.n., Hong Kong asking for guidance on the action to be taken in regard to captured shipping which is being exployed by the Co.ander in Chief, Hong King for urgent relie, After consultation with you and with
the Foreign Office, you will recollect that we dispatched Admiralty Hantage 191221/October to 0. in C. Hong Kong in wido do Buy "ostedthat the mall Japanose vessels involved abould be seised in prize which would avoid commandeerin· and restraint by the Chinese Authorities who might have no knowledge of the C. in C's right to use the
2. We have subsequently discussed this matter further with the Fo_eign Office and with Full, Deputy Procurator General, fbill tells us that whilst there would be no legal objection to the proposed course, he does not think seizure would sohieve the end desired, and Waldock feels that if we now seized captured shipping widoh wo aze enjoying a temporary right to use, the Chinese may think we are trying to appropriate the vessels. In view of the fact, therefore, that we do not require to obtain any legal title to tœporary user other than that conferred by the Jucrender Instrument, we think on consideration it is better not to seize,
3. Perhaps you would consider th matter further und let us know whother, in the circumstanc-a, you would be prepared to agree. If ao, I will tell the C. in C. that it is not proposed to proceed. with our original auggestion
I am sending a copy of this to Hull and to Bryan of the Fozoign Office.
y General .C.money,
ndstay of War Transɔort.
fed
Yours sincerely,
Win Han
Hanna
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