7.12663/27.
23
153
28th September, 1937.
Dear Nichol,
Tippetts of this Department spoke to you on the
telephone about a week ago with regard to a British
vessel
of which the crew
ww
the s.s. "Athanasios"
-
consists of Hong Kong Chinese who fear that when the
ship reaches its destination in Japan they will be
interned or otherwise molested. The ship at present
belongs to Messrs. Townsend Brothers of London who are
ship delivery contractors. You said that you were
prepared to instruct a representative of the Straits
Government to go on board the ship when she arrives at
Singapore (probably on October 2nd) and communicate to
the crew an assurance drawn up by the Foreign Office
and ourselves.
The Foreign Office have telegraphed to our Embassy
in Tokyo and have received a telegram in reply which
shows that the Japanese Government have given an
J.F. Nichol, Esq.
/assurance