OSAKA SHOSEN KAISHA,
LONDON,
3.
The Secretary of State for
Home Affairs.
20th May 1926.
The purpose of this communication is to state that
our Principals in Japan feel that in all the circumstances the judgment given is unfair. Seeing that the amount of
the fine and costs involved is so small, however, they do
not wish to go to the added expense of appealing against
the judgment. However, the facts are that neither the
Captain nor the Crew were, or could be cognisant that some
of the casks stated to contain Carbolic Acid Crystals had
secreted in them quantities of Morphine, and it would, therefore, seem to be somewhat harsh that the Captain should
be fined in this instance.
As you are aware it is quite impossible for Captains
or Crews of steamers to examine the internal contents of all
packages of cargo loaded into their steamer, but every
precaution practicable is taken by the Agents of the Company
at the loading ports to see that the goods loaded into
steamers are those actually described on the Bills of Lading
covering the various consignments.
Our Principals in Japan are therefore most anxious to
clear their good name as a Shipping Company and the
reputation of their Captain against the insinuation that
they were in any way responsible for the importation of the Deleterious Drug in question. They have asked us, therefore,.
to approach you with a view to having this particular