50
"
The junks were technically Chinese and not
but they were licensed in Hongkong
registered in Hongkong;
for revenue purposes to ply in Hongkong waters and they
habitually did so. Some of them, however, were owned by
British subjects; there were British subjects on board and
amongst the survivors; and many of those killed must also
have been British.
The conclusions of the report have produced a
very painful impression on His Majesty's Government in the
United Kingdom and they reserve their right to address an
official communication to the Japanese Government at a
later stage, should this course seem desirable, as also
to publish the report or any part of it and to claim full
compensation for damage, suffering and loss of life caused
to British subjects. They would, however, be glad to learn
in the first place whether the competent Japanese
authorities have any observations on the report which they
would wish to offer.
British Embassy,
Tokyo.
13th January, 1938.
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