SECRET.
From C.in C. China.
MESSAGE.
IN.
Date
Recd
-
الى
21/5/39.
1900.
112
Interdepartmental Cypher.
Addressed - N.L.O. Shanghai. Repeated Admiralty.
H. M.Ambassador. Tokyo. H.M.Ambassador, shanghai. Commodore, Hong Kong.
21)
381.
NO TRA
Your 1701 May 19th.
Request you will
convey following message to Admiral Oikawa begins
If British destroyers stationed at entrance of Min River
incommoded Japanese Navy by too liberal use of searchlights
on the night of Hay 16th then I tender by sincere regret.
I will make full enquiry and in the meantime I have ordered
that unnecessary use of searchlights is to be avoided. I
much regret that occasion for complaint should have arisen.
lo signals were exchanged between H.11. Ships and
Chinese nor has it ever been the practice for Royal Navy to
warn the Chinese of the actions of Imperial Japanese Navy.
The launch to which Admiral Uikawa refers was sent by
H. M. Ship to steamship ASIAN for her protection, and the
signals to which exception is taken took place between
H.. Ship and Steamship ASIAN.
While every endeavour will always be made to avoid
interference with Japanese operations I must however reserve
fully the right to take such measures as I consider necessary
for the protection of British shipping. These measures have
been necessitated by recent cases of interference with British
shipping by Japanese in contravention of the flag verification
procedure.
1st Lord. D.C.N.S.
D.of P.(3)
1523/20.
To be
1st S.L.
A.C.N.S.
PARL SEC.
2nd 3.1. 3rd S.L. 4th S.1. 5th S.1.
CIVIL LORD. SJC.
NAVAL SEC. P.A.S(S). 0..(3). D.N.İ.(6). M.36 (14).
Plans (L.D) Foreign Office )sent D.S.D.9. War Office )by
O.I.C.4.
Air Ministry
Trade Div. (2). R.C.(3).
M. Br.
}