is Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
137
FROM JAPAN.
Decode Decypher.
and
Sir R.Craigie (Tokyo).
17th January, 1938.
D.
7.10 p.m.
17th January, 1938.
R.
1.35 p.m.
17th January, 1938.
No.58.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
shippin
9
(R. begins).
Mr. Howe's telegram No.81.
Minister of Marine informed Naval Attaché today that Admiral Hasagawa's meaning was that at present moment free passage of ships in general would cause risk to military operations but nevertheless if there were special reasons for any ship to proceed they would give it consideration "even if it endangered operations".
(R. ends).
There is ground for believing that the real objection to ships mooring is not to prevent trade but to prevent observation of Japanese military movements and preparations. I will discuss above with my United States colleague tomorrow and endeavour to arrange with him common line of action.
Addressed to Foreign Office No.58; repeated to Commander-in- Chief and Mr. Howe (and for Rear Admiral Yangtse and Senior
Naval Officer).