SECRET
TELEGRAM
FROM:
Admiralty.
TO:
c.in C. China 77.
DATE:
9.2.35.
Commodore Singapore 393. Commodore Hong Kong 327.
OUT
Cypher G.G.(P).
Addressed C.in C. China, repeated Commodore, Singapore,
Commodore Hong Kong from Admiralty.
Japanese Naval Authorities have shown signs of resentment
at proposed revision of Regulation 36 of Straits
Settlements Merchant Shipping Ordinance, which make it
illegal to land from a visiting warship without formal
permission of Colonial Secretary. This resentment might
lead to tightening up of Japanese regulations or stricter
attitude about Naval Ports. For your private information,
opinion of Admiralty is that this regulation is a very
rigid and legal interpretation of A.F.O. 2/29. Colonial
Office are instructing Governor to substitute amended
regulation in which wording of A.F.0. 2/29 is more closely
followed. Steps are also being taken to explain to
Japanese authorities that intention of revised regulations
was to follow regulations in A.F.0. 2/29 (which was
communicated to Japanese in 1923) and that wording is
being revised in order to make this clear,
Also Their Lordships deprecate action at Hong Kong
proposed in your submission No.1981 dated 4th December,
arising out of activities of Saga. There are also other
objections which will be communicated by letter.
1606/9.
for Head of M.
26