Copy.
S
35-A 147
MESSAGE
IN
-
FROM: C. in C. China (in FALMOUTH)
DATE:- 22. 9. 37
RECD:- 2300
P/L
ADDRESSED:- China Station Nr. 062 D. repeated Admiralty.
255. (1) Japanese Government have agreed to the following procedure so far as vessels flying the British
flag are concerned in connection with the closing of the
China Coast to chinese shipping. (a) If a British man of
war is present Japanese men of war may request her to
verify right of ship to fly British flag. A Japanese naval
officer may be requested to attend on board the merchant
ship if desired. (B) If no British man of war is present
Japanese may board a ship to establish her nationality by
examining her certificates of registry. The Japanese
warship will inform British Naval Authorities by quietest available means. British merchant ships so boarded
having instructions also to inform nearest British Naval
Authority immediately. In either case (A) or (B)
H.M. Ships and Authorities concerned are to report to
Commander in Chief.
(2) Following instructions have been issued to British
Merchant ships. Begins: Japan having declared the whole
of the Chinese Coast closed to Chinese shipping following
arrangements have been agreed to as between Great Britain
and Japan.
Masters of British ships in the Far East are
advised that if they are requested to stop by a Japanese
Warship and if none of H.M. Ships is present, they should
allow Japanese to board the ship to identify her nationality
and examine her certificate of registry. On each occasion
a report should immediately be made to the nearest British
Naval