144
3.
5. Apart from the violation of British territory
and waters involved His Majesty's Government feel constrained to recall the observations which they have on more than one previous occasion expressed to the Japanese government, that attacks on revenue protection vessels of the Chinese Maritime Customs can have no military value and merely serve to interfere with the regular functioning of the customs administration. Having regard to the assurances which the Japanese government have given regarding their desire to preserve the integrity of this administration, His Majesty's Government can only conclude that the local naval authorities still remain in ignoranse of the declared policy of the Japanese government in this respect, and they accordingly suggest that immediate steps should be taken to bring that policy to the notice of all those concerned with the conduct of operations, and to insist that it be carried out.
Repeated to Peking No. 643, Embassy Offices, Shanghai No. 547, Hongkong unnumbered and Commander-in-Chief un- numbered.