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(2107) Wt. 69083-P4773 1000u 3 Barts 4/44 G.JB, Gp, 424
4668
1:6
A.M. Form 1704
TOP SECRET
WARNING. This cypher message must first be paraphrased if it is necessary to publish its text or to communicate it to persons outside British Government Services and Departments. Messages marked One-Time Pad: "O.T.P." are excepted from this rul
EMM
FROM:-
TO:-
O.T.
TOP
HQ A.C.S.E.
MS.14631
(RECD.ANCSOTH NOV. 1945).
AIR MINISTRY WHITEHAL
RLT
TIMEDIATE GUARD TOP SECRET
ACC.925 HOV. 16TH.
PERSONAL FOR EVILL FROM PARK.
To MY A.123
YOU WILL BE INTERESTED TO READ APPENDED SIGNAL JUST RECEIVED FROM A.0.0. HONG KONG "PERSONAL FOR AIR CHIEF FROM BROOK. Nov 8TH SUNDERLAND /No.209 SQDN RETURNED HERE YESTERDAY FROM HAINAN ON RELEASE BY CHINESE AUTHORITY AFTER 7 DAYS DETENTION. CAPTAIN REPORTS AIRCRAFT
PLACED UNDER ARMED GUARD COMPRISING CHINESE AND JAPANESE GUARD CREW REMAINED ON BOARD BUT PASSENGERS WERE ACCOMMODATED ASHORE CAPTAIN STATES RUMOUR EXPLANATION GIVEN FOR DETAINING AIRCRAFT.
SOMEHOW.
AMERICANS FLYING BOAT (1 ?) ABLE TO ARRIVE HAINAN. AND DEPART AT WILL, CAPTAIN CONSIDERS THAT CHINESE TREATMENT OF PERSONNEL WAS CORRECT BUT STERN.
FOR
PARA 10.2. SUNDERLAND WAS UNARMED AND ENGAGED IN NORMAL TRANSPORT DUTY IT WAS FORCED TO RETURN TO HAINAN OWING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS HERE AND CARGO LIMITATION. CONSIDER THEREFORE THAT AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCORDED NORMAL TREATMENT SHIPPING AND AIRCRAFT SEEKING SHELTER IN TERRITORIAL WATERS. FROM EXSITING INFORMATION TO DATE APPEARS THAT CHINESE ACTION WAS FLAGRANT (ABUSE?)
IT INTERNATIONAL LAW AND MOREOVER SUGGEST DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOUR OF AMERICAN INTEREST AT EXPENSE OF OUR OWN.
OF
PARA. No.3. FULL REPORT FOLLOWS TOGETHER WITH MY LETTER TO C. INC. HONG KONG EXPRESSING ABOVE VIEWS. INCIDENT BEING DISCUSSEDWITH GENERAL CARTON DE WIART (WHO?) PROPOSES ALSO BRINGING INCIDENT TO NOTICE OF CHIEF OF THE IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF AS THIS MAY HAVE IMPORTANT BEARING ON FUTURE BRITISH CIVIL MILITARY AVIATION INTEREST IN FAR EAST".
2.
I HAVE REQUESTED BROOK TO ENLIST THE AID OF BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN CHINA THROUGH HIS A.A. CHUNG KING, WILL BE REFERRED ON A VERY HIGH LEVEL TO WHITEHALL AND
PRESUME THAT THIS DIPLOMATIC PROBLEM
IN THAT YOU AND THE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF WILL BE GLAD
/TO
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