COPY.
12918/57.
Mercantile Marine Department,
Board of Trade,
Great George Street,
S.W.1.
94
19th October, 1937.
sir,
I am directed by the Board of Trade to refer to your
letter (F.7908/130/10) of the 15th October regarding the
verification by Japanese warships of the identity of shipe
flying the British flag, with which were enclosed copies of
telegrama Nos. 532 and 533 from Japan.
As regards the question raised by Sir Robert Craigie
in the second paragraph of telegram No. 532 ea to the
manner in which the Japanese are to carry out the
verification, the Board adhere to the views expressed in the
fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of their letter
(M. 12296/37) of the 8th October. The adoption of the
arrangements there indicated would comply with Bir Robert
Craigie's desire for a "cut and dried understanding as to
the manner in which verification of the flag shall be
carried out"; and if the original offer to allow
inspection of certificates of registry were extended to
include other documents (an extension which could not be
The Under Secretary of State,
Foreign office.
0.5.1.
/justified