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2.
crew.
(2). When asked why British authorities had not
immediately been informed of occurrence admiral replied
he was under the impression that all notices regarding
third power vessels were transmitted from Idzumo who
apparently failed to do so in this case. He put this
failure down to change of staff officers and promised he
would direct Idzumo to report similar occurrences in
future.
(3). When I queried Admiral Nomura's apparently
complete knowledge of history of the vessel, its cargo etc.
and pointed out that this if accurate must have been obtained
by them, i.e. by examination of (corrupt group) and
tangible documentary (2 corrupt groups) agreement existing
concerning refusal (corrupt group), he replied he was not
certain how information was obtained, but probably verbally
from crew and (corrupt group) sources.
(4). I pointed out that chartering of vessel in no
way effects Japanese demands for this is British ship
flying British flag and therefore her seizure was entirely
illegal. Admiral stated he differed regarding this and
said that by virtue of charter vessel could be used by
(corrupt group) for any purpose (? they) wished. I said
your views concerning this question were the same as I had
stated, to which he replied he would pass your views on
to the proper quarter.
(5). Admiral Nomura pointed to this case as one of
various ways in which Chinese were trying to evade
Japanese /