168
In these
British ships proceeding to Japan are not in danger
either on the high seas or in Japanese ports.
circumstances it was agreed at the meeting of yesterday
that the Shipping Federation should request the owners
to lodge a Notice of Appeal against the decision of the
Court in Hong Kong and that the Board should endeavour
to ascertain (1) the grounds on which the finding of the
Court were based, and (2) whether any expert naval evidence
was taken by the Court.
The Board would accordingly be glad if, provided the
Secretary of State sees no objection, a further telegram
might be despatched to the Officer Administering the
Government of Hong Kong on the lines of the draft enclosed
herewith.
The Board would also be glad if the attention of the
authorities in the Straits Settlements might be called to
the desirability, should a similar case arise there, of
/naval