COPI.
156
Enclosure sa
C.R.No. 4444/11 (A)
Headquarters South China
Command.
Hongkong, 15th August,
1914.
Dear Mr. Imai,
I hear that a Japanese ship came into the harbour yesterday evening absolutely disregarding all signals. Four shots were fåred near her but failed to bring her up. A fifth was accordingly fired into the ship, and resulted
as I hear, in the death of a man.
I cannot say how sorry I am for the unfortunate Occurrence. Iàu will, however, I am sure, fully under- stand that my Artillery officers were only doing their duty. A ship coming in, as she did, might easily have been sailing under false colours with the intention of blocking the
harbour.
I hope you will convey my deepest regret to
His Imperial Majesty's Government.
An official enquiry into the matter will be held
today.
Yours sincerely,
(SD) F.H.Kelly, Major General Commanding Troops South China.