NO DISTRIBU:ION.
Decypher.
Ar. Howe (Shanghai)
3rd February 1938.
D.
(Wireless) 4th February 1938.
R. 4.00 p.m.
4th February 1938.
No. 225.
202
Following is repetition of Mission telegram No. 91 of
January 31st.
Begins:-
Your telegram No. 10 to Canton.
I have hesitated to offer observations but I feel bound
to say on point of fact that in course of my journey from Canton to Tuchang on January 6th - 9th north bound train carried troops at all times in varying numbers amounting at the highest to about 200 and that seven south bound trains which passed during journey all contained troops totalling at least 2000 as well as [gp undec.] of civilian passengers and war material presumably for defence of Kuangtung. It was because
I considered the presence of troops on my train probable that I declined offer of Senior Naval Officer Canton to supply
a Union Jack and in the light of actual facts I think use of national flag would have been improper since my train carried troops presumably intended for use against Japanese forces.
(Signed) MacKillop.