SECRET.
MESSAGE
From
-
C. in C. China.
со
78
IN.
23.9.37.
DATE
...
RECD
...
1857.
INTERDEPARTMENTAL CYPHER (R).
1/c
Addressed Amiralty repeated Commodore, Hong Kong, for
Governor Hong Kong, Nanking 40, Tokyo 23.
261.
Reference message 196 and 200 from Governor
Hong Kong to Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs and my
248 to Admiralty and Hong Kong (not to other addressees). Naval prize manual 1923 shows Japan as "ratifying" and China "acceding" to Hague convention 1907 number eleven. I can make protest without prejudice to Commander-in-Chief of 3rd Fleet on this score and also interference with food supply and peaceful activities of residents at Hong Kong. Possibly H.M. Government may wish to make this protest at Tokyo.
Senior Naval Officer Wei Hai Wei reports it has been necessary to destroy two burnt out junks off
Wei Hai Wei which constituted a real menace. British
Merchant ships are also report derelict junks vide ast month's 1140/16. All these are dangerous to H.M. Ships and British Merchant Ships. We have no proof that this is the work of Japanese but inference is clear as such objects are most rare in normal times. We have also no proof that crews are in a place of safety (sic).
1006/23.
my
ES
Plans (Trade) (2).
1st Lord.
PARL SEC.
D. of P. (3).
1st S.L.
CIVIL LORD.
2nd S.L.
3rd S.L.
4th S.L.
D.C.N.S.
A.C.N.S. (Air) A.C.N,S,
SEC.
NAVAL SEC. P.A.S.(S). O.D. (3). D.N.I.(6). M. (8). M.34.
D.S.D.9.
N.I.D.8.
HYDROG.
D.D. of S.T.(Mr.Dorrell)(2)