D-Central China.
First Repre- sentation.
1 Hankow.
Subject.
Police.
Present situation.
On the occupation of Hankow the November 9 Japanese reply of November 30 stated
policing of Special Administrative District 3 was taken over by the Japanese Military Police under protest from the British authorities and contrary to the provisions of the Chen-O'Malley Agreement
2. Kiukiang.
Refusal of the Japanese authorities to allow British subjects to reoccupy their properties in spite of the cessation of hostilities
3. Nanking. Return of British subjects. Repeated representations up to July 5
4. Yangtze Navigation.
Prevention of non-Japanese ships from proceeding up the river above the Kiangyin boom
August 5
April 6
that the policing was taken over as a result of consultation between the British and Japanese authorities and that the action taken by the Japanese was only such as was necessary to preserve order.
Two replies were received from General Ugaki asking British authorities to co-operate more fully with the Japanese and stating that Japanese authorities were being instructed to grant all possible facilities to British subjects. His Majesty's Embassy pointed out on November 2 that while there was satisfactory contact between the British and Japanese authorities the latter had completely failed after three months to carry out General Ugaki's instructions and were still adopting a discriminatory and obstruc- tive attitude.
Minister for Foreign Affairs replied on July 13 that six members of the International Export Company and six other British subjects might return. On September 20 His Majesty's Ambassador wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs pointing out that as large numbers of Japanese had returned and opened shops, facilities might now be granted to increased numbers of British subjects. A further letter was addressed to the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on November 7 pointing out the unsatis- factory situation in regard to British property at Nanking caused by continued refusal of access.
January 18 Requests for the opening of the Yangtze have been made at frequent intervals throughout the year. Overwhelming evidence has accumulated that Japanese ships have repeatedly sailed up and down-stream with cargoes which have nothing to do with the conduct of the campaign, and that many of the said ships did not have any connexion, even indirect, with the transport of troops. In spite of the presence on the river of numerous Japanese trading ships and of the fact that hostilities have proceeded up the Yangtze to a point over 120 miles above Hankow, the Japanese Govern- ment still argue that military necessity makes it impossible for them to open up even the lower part of the river.
[508 bb-1]
C
260