10
of Hong Kong is taking steps to draw up a
claim for compensation on behalf of the British
subjects involved, and that no doubt this
will be presented to the Japanese Government
as soon as possible.
P. Roge D
14. 4.38.
The offruce seams to lu Even
More serious uheu Counciltea
at a time when no state of war, in the ordinary sense, Exists.
1.D.
The allegation surely
is ridiculous.
4.1.
The circumstances of the sinking by the
Japanese war vessel of Chinese fishing junks
last September, as established in the Hong
Kong report, were sufficiently revolting as
to justify the extreme indignation which has
been expressed to the Japanese authorities on
behalf of H.M.G.
In view of the Japanese reply, however,
(see encf. in 9) I doubt if any purpose would
be served by too strong expression of views
to the F.0. in reply to No.11. We cannot
achieve any practical result by prog en Casting
slides on the inhuman methods practised
by the Japanese Commander, nor, I think, should
we stress the Hague Convention No.11 since
that Convention postulates a state of war, and
further the exemption of fishing vessels under
Article 3 is dependent on their taking no part
whatever in hostilities. The Japanese (however
ridiculous it may sound) allege that the junks
opened fire first and were subsequently sunk
by
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