SECRET.
MESSAGE.
To
9. in C. China 80. Commodore, Hong Kong. 210.
DATE
RECD
...
OUT.
93
141
21.12.37.
NAVAL CYPHER (D).
Addressed C. in C. China repeated Commodore, Hong Kong,
From Admiralty.
Your 2009/12.
Chah-Sing incident.
Foreign office are
repeating to you text of protest to be made at Tokyo.
It has not been possible to accept suggestion that
maritime customs vessels should be excluded from British
territorial waters, because such action would seriously handi-
eap them in carrying out their customs duties. As you are
aware, H.M.Government are gravely concerned over the future of maritime customs, and do not wish to take any action which
might prejudice their working.
In spite of fact that they are armed public vessels, it is thought that customs vessels could be distinguished from warships on the ground that they have no commission entitling them to take offensive action against an enemy.
1st Lord. 1st .L.
2nd S.I.
3rd S.L.
4th S.L
D.C.N.S.
A.C.N.S. (AIR)
A.C.N.S.
PARL. SEC.
CIVIL LORD.
SEC.
NAVAL SFC.
P.A.S.(S).
D.S.D.9. N.I.D.
8.
O.D. (3).
D.N.I.(6).
M. (10 M.35. M.34.
D. of P.(3).
HYDROG.
Plans (Trade)(2).
Foreign Office
War Office Air Ministry
1845/21.
for Head of M.
to be sent by M. Br.