on t
The Board fear that it may be difficult to obtain
from the Japanese authorities any satisfactory assurances
points raised by their statement as reported in
telegram lo. 488, but as the matter has been raised with
them it seems undesirable to allow these points to remain
unchallenged. If the Secretary of state agrees, the
Board would suggest that His Majesty's Representative in
Tokyo be asked to take whatever steps he considers best
to convey to the Japanese authorities that His kajesty's
Government consider that interference with cargoes of
british ships being carried into Chinese ports on junks
or lighters would not be consistent with the statements
already made by the Japanese as to non-interference with
neutral vessels carrying cargoes to China.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Admiralty
and the Colonial office.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.) W. Carter.
104