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Charge d'Affaires.
I had an interview with General Chow Chih-jou this after- noon and drew his attention to the circumstances attaching to the detention of the R. A. F. Sunderland at Sama, pointing out the arbitrary action of the local Chinese Commander in detaining instead of assisting, an aircraft in distress, the insult implied in placing the aircraft under a guard which included Japanese soldiers and finally the discrimination against British aircraft, which in this case was detained while American aircraft were permitted to arrive and depart without hindrance,
2.
I then handed General Chow the attached memorandum covering the points above mentioned.
3.
General Chow received the protest reasonably and sympathe- tically. He disclaims any responsibility for the guards which were set on the aircraft. These, he says, are under the command of General Chang Fa kuei and must have been set by one of his subordinate commanders. He expressed himself as indignant at Japanese troops having been used for this prupose and expressed his sympathy for the captain of the aircraft.
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Finally, he assured me that he will issue instructions to the C.A.F. Stations under his command that in future should any R.A.F. aircraft require to make emergency use of aerodromes or seaplane bases they may do so without hindrance and have the assistance of the C.A.F.
5.
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General Chow promises also to make a signal to General Chang Fa-kuei drawing his attention to the setting of a guard and the inclusion in it of Japanese troops.
(SGD.) G.A. BARTHOLOMEW.
Air Attache.
23/11/45.
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