No.67
Copy to Hong Kong No.27.
British Consulate,
Tamsui.
28th September, 1937.
37
Sir,
With reference to the second paragraph of my despatch
No.65, I have the honour to report that the Keelung Takao
Hong Kong service of the Osaka Shesen Kaisha has again been
restored, the "Hong Kong-maru" having sailed from Keelung
yesterday. I am now informed from a reliable source that the
real reason why the service was interrupted was that just as
the boat was about to leave Takao the Japanese authorities
intervened, objecting that much of the cargo was of a kind which
would be liable to defeat the objects of the naval blockade.
It appears that a strict control is being exercised over exports
to Hong Kong, though the policy is being kept as quiet as
possible. Consequently I am unable to give a precise account of
what the restrictions may be. I think there is a contraband
list, but that some discretion is exercised as to its enforce-
ment. Goods on through bills of lading for ports other than
Chinese are not affected, and even contraband billed for Hong
Kong may sometimes be passed if the consignee be non-Chinese,
and fairly obviously needs the goods for his own use. But
whatever the details may be, it is clear that the main object,
so far as concerns Formosa, is to prevent supplies of Formosan
coal reaching Chinese hands.
Regarding the Chinese evacuation problem, it appears
that the "Rosalie Moller" was delayed and reached Takao on her
first /
2.
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Sir Robert Craigie, K. C.M.G., C.B.,
etc., etc.,
Tokyo.
etc.,