3
100
ships had been committed.
His Majesty'a Government
requested disciplinary action against the commander of the Japanese war vessel and a claim for Hr $30,469. in
respect of losses incurred by British subjects was presented.
In a reply dated the 19th September, the Japanese sinister
for Foreign Affairs stated that while the British note
rested on the statements of illiterate fishermen, the
Japanese case was based on the report of a Japanese Naval
Authority. There was no room for consideration of the
question of the responsibility of the Naval Officer con-
cerned, but the Japanese Government would still offer an
ex gratia payment in respect of British subjects on behalf
of whom documentary evidence could be produced showing that
they did not take part in aggressive action.
His Kajesty's Government are, however, still
unable to consider anything produced by the Japanese Govem-
ment in the way of evidence as sufficient to throw doubt on
the findings of the dongkong Commission, and the claim for
50,489. is maintained.
II. Violation of Territorial Paters by a Japanese
Destroyer on the 11th December 1937, Landing
on Hongkong Territory, etc.
At about 2.20 p.m. on the 11th December 1987
a revenue protection vessel of the Chinese Maritime Custome
in British territorial waters off Black Point was fired on
by a Japanese üestroyer from a position just outside terri-
torial waters. The Customs vessel was run aground and,
according to information furnished to the water police
authorities, the Japanese destroyer entered British terri-
torial waters and when about a mile and a half from the
shore lowered two motor boats, which towed the Customs vessel
off. Two unexploded shells were found on the beach and a
/house
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