This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
14
From CHINA.
32
Decode.
Mr. Phillips, (Shanghai)
26th December, 1937.
D.
(wireless)
26th December, 1937.
R..
2.50 p.il.
26th December, 1957.
No. 216.
(R) •
0:0:0:0
Wajima of Japanese Consulate General called this morning to convey the following explanation of the incident of flying
over Lantao Island which occurred on December 24th according
to report received by His Majesty's Consul has [2 gps. undec.].
Fifteen planes from an aircraft carrier stationed somewhere
south of Hongkong [?] had been sent to attack Canton but
running into thick weather were forced to turn back. A strong
south east wind was blowing and to counteract this they set
their course towards the south east and suddenly found them-
selves flying over twin peak which they now believe to have
been Lantao Island.
Beyond observing that to fly over another country's
territory without its permission was a serious matter but
outside my province and that I would at once transmit his
message, I was non-committal.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 216; repeated
to Chargé d'Affaires telegram No. 256, Hongkong, Commander-in-
Chief.