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2.
send another tug with salvage gear to the rescue of the
Victoria. Salvage tug arrived on the scene August 13th reported
Russian master of Victoria had been maltreated and that the
vessel had armed guard of Japanese soldiers on board. Manager
of the company thereupon approached the Senior Naval Officer
who arranged for a gunboat to investigate.
4. The present position is that the Senior Naval Officer
is making representations to the Japanese naval authorities
regarding the removal of the armed guard and has given instructions that salvage operations are to be suspended until
the guard has been withdrawn. I understand gunboat will remain
in company unless typhoon approaches when the Victoria will be
temporarily abandoned. Manager of the company reports that he visited the Japanese naval authorities again this morning and was assured that the vessel would be given every assistance and protection to enable it to return to Shanghai.
Repeated to Foreign Office No. 232, Tokyo No.134 via air
mail Commander-in-Chief No. 73, copy to Naval Liaison Officer
and Senior Naval Officer.