*
** CONFIDENTIAL.
!
293
20780
27. 21
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
R
HONGKONG. 18th March, 1921.
Sir,
With reference to Lord Milner's telegram of 5th
February and to the subsequent telegraphic correspondence, I have the honour to inform you that His Imperial Highness the Crow Prince of Japan arrived in this Colony on March 10th in H.I.J M.S. "Katori" which was accompanied by H.I.J.M.S. "Kashima", flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Oguri.
2.
It was my desire, in accordance with the wish of His Majesty the King as indicated in Lord Milner's telegram, to show all possible attention to His Imperial Highness but I found it extremely difficult to accord him a fitting reception owing to the fears of His Imperial Highness' suite that some demonstra- -tion might be made by malcontents from Corea.
3.
Mr. Suzuki who was till last year Consul General for Japan at Hongkong returned to the Colony in February and resumed his former post in order to take charge of arrangements for the Prince's visit. I had fortunately staying with me at the time Mr. R. Ponsonby Fane, formerly Private Secretary here to Sir M. Nathan and Sir F. H. May, who speaks Japanese fluently.
Suzuki Mr. Ponsonby Fane was in constant communication with Mr.
and a programme, including a reception, banquet, etc. was drawn up and submitted by telegraph to Count Chinda, who was in charge of His Imperial Highness' suite. Count Chinda's reply was generally to the effect that His Imperial Highness wished to be as quiet as possible, that he probably would not land at all and
that THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,
&c..
&c.