H.K.I.R. No.19/37.
9%
HONG KONG.
Page 17.
21
THE JAPANESE BLOCKADE.
The extension of the Japanese blockade to include all China ports has resulted in a number of local events that would easily become "incidents" at any moment.
The Chinese authorities have gradually restricted the free passage of ships to Canton until at the present time even H.M.Ships are required to take special Chinese pilots.
There have been a number of British owned ships flying British colours such as the "Taishan", stopped for examination of papers by Japanese warships. The ships have been allowed to proceed after perusal of the papers.
Japanese destroyers have fired on or captured Chinese Maritime Customs vessels. One such capture occurred either just inside or just outside Hong Kong territorial waters.
All these events may lead at any moment to an
incident of graver proportions.
The Chinese temper locally has shown signs of rising and the more complete the evacuation of Japanese residents in Hong Kong together with the refugees from Cantón the less chance of such incidents.
The Japanese continue to use Hong Kong waters for the passage of their warships and are presumably entitled to use the port on request to refuel or restore in.
The Japanese attitude is entirely unpenitent. Middle class Japanese in Hong Kong regard the shooting of the British Ambassador as an unfortunate accident but quite justified under the circumstances.
(H.K.I.R. No.19/37.)
(S.0.(I).)