Encel I
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.]
From JAPAN.
Decode.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo),
20th April, 1938.
D.
12.30 p.m. 20th April, 1938.
R.
9.30 a.m.
20th April, 1938.
No. 497.
(R).
72
Threadin
threat!
My telegram No. 124.
Final reply takes the form of memorandum dated 18th April
enclosing report of navy's investigations. Following is the
gist of the memorandum:-
The Javanese Government regard the case as Sino-Japanese
affair not concerning third Powers.
Patrol vessel was not submarine but minesweeper.
Junks opened fire first and vessel sank them in self-defence.
There was nothing to show that any of the junks were
British property or contained British subjects.
The vessel did the utmost to take such steps to rescue
the survivors as circumstances permitted.
If there were British subjects killed and if they did not
take direct part in challenging the attack, the Japanese
Government will not be slow to express regret and are prepared
to consider indemnification.
If His Majesty's Government publish report the Japanese
Government would be compelled to counter by publishing their
findings. Results of publication would not contribute to
improvement in Anglo-Japanese relations.
My comments follow
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 497, repeated to Hongkong.