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1. Bombings.
10
E-South China.
Representations have been made to the Japanese Government regarding damage to British property at Swatow and Pagoda Anchorage in Canton, and the right to claim compensation has been reserved.
2. t'antan.
Subject.
Seizure of Customs by
Japanese armed forces.
First Repre sentation.
Present situation.
His Majesty's Ambassador protested November 24 Japanese reply of December 16 states
forinally and expressed the hope
that instructions would be sent for
the return of the Customs to the
proper officials without delay
3. Foochow.
that as Canton area is now under the occupation of the Japanese forces, it is natural that the Customs should fall under the jurisdiction of the Japanese forces in occupation.
Seizure of Customus vessel at Foochow September 25 Reply from Vice-Minister for Foreign
by the Japanese Government
4. Pratas Reef Meteorological Wireless
Station.
Hourly weather reports suspended since Japanese occupation of the Reef. Verbal representations by naval attaché resulted in some improvement, but the service is still inadequate. Requests restoration to the former standard
5, Cases involving infringement of Hong Kong Territorial Waters and Attacks on Junks.
(a) September 22, 1937
August 2
Junks sunk by Japanese sub- marine
January 5
Affairs October 14 states that vessel behaved suspiciously, was detained and subsequently sunk when in tow. If Customs vessels act so as to hinder strategic operations, vessels will be arrested.
Japanese reply August 15 stated no further improvement was possible with the existing equipment.
Subject,
(e) May 17, 1938
Sampan attacked by Japanese armed inotor trawler in Hong Kong territorial waters, one of the crew decapitated
1. Claims in respect of the Yangtze incidents of December 5, 11 and 12, 1937. (Presented with reference to notes from the Japanese Government promising compensation in respect these incidents.) Value: £110,480 108. 6d.
of
2. S.s. Asian.
Claim in respect of damage caused by the wrongful detention of the ship by the Japanese navy from Feb- ruary 7 to 20, and theft during detention of articles on board
3. General Claims.
First instalment of claims on behalf of British subjects and property in respect of damage arising out of the hostilities
11
First Repre
sentation.
August 15
F-Claims.
April 4
May 1
June 21
Present situation.
Japanese reply (note No. 140 of Septem- ber 19) states that two investigations have shown that no vessel of the Japanese navy had anything to do with such a case.
On September 1 an official statement of these claims, not subject to alteration, was presented. A verbal reminder was furnished on October 10 and a written reminder on November 10, pointing out that the Japanese Government had been in possession of the appro- priate information for over six months. Japanese Government's reply, Novem- ber 22, stated that the authorities were working hard on the claims but that investigations were not completed.
Japanese Government stated in their note No. 50 of October 4 that they cannot bear the entire responsibility and are not prepared to admit any further discussion of the matter of the stolen articles."
No reply.
(b) December 11, 1987
Japanese Government refuse to consider question of responsibility, but have offered AD ex gratia payment to fishermen who are British subjects and can prove that they took no part in aggression against Я Japanese vessel.
Violation of Hong Kong territo- December 22, Japanese have dealt according to law
rial waters by Japanese destroyer:
attack on Customs vessel and
landing and theft on the island
(e) February 11, 1988
1937
with those responsible for violation of territorial waters, but dispute stories of landing and theft. His Majesty's Embassy on February 10 requested. re-examination of the case, but no reply bas been received to this request.
Violation of Hong Kong territo- February 26 Japanese Government stated that the
rial waters by Japanese armed
motor trawler, which attacked and seized four junks
(d) May 3, 1938
Piracy and murder committed by Japanese sailors on a junk from Hong Kong
June 17
incident was not in Hong Kong territorial waters; but His Majesty's Embassy pointed out on April 27 that the junks in the Japanese Govern- ment's note of March 8 were different from those referred to by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
21
His Majesty's Embassy addressed
further note to the Japanese Govern- ment on July 8 confirming the details of their previous note and presenting a claim for 11,872-50 Hong Kong dollars. Japanese Government's reply of December 6 states that there have been cases in which Japanese warships have dealt with hostile junks, but that there are no facts correspond- ing to statements in His Majesty's Embassy's notes.
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