why -7.
OOPY FOR
ION
CYPHER TELEGRAM from the 0. A. G. of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
15.
96
Dated 22nd September, 1937.
9 pems, 22nd September.
IMPORTANT.
No.200,
Received from the Admiralty
Addressed to Commander in Chief Telegram No.14
?
repeated to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom
Secretary of State for the Colonies, Nanking, Tokyo
Telegram No.12.
12.
Your telegram of September 19th I am advised
that fishing vessels in question are not entitled to
protection of the British flag, They are licensed in
Hong Kong for revenue purposes and to allow them to ply
in Hong Kong waters but are not registered there.
China
was not signatory to Hague Convention 1907 and Chinese
fishing vessels apparently do not, therefore, enjoy its
protection.
In the circumstances I consider as already
indicated that protest can only be interference with food
supply of the Colony and with peaceful activities of
Hong Kong residents,