ENCLOSURE IN CANTON DESPATCH TO H.M. AMBASSADOR. SHANGHAI.
No. 217 of 3rd December, 1938
EXTRACT FROM THE "FIELD TELEGRAPH NEWS", NO. 16 of NOVEMBER
30th, 1938, ISSUED AT CANTON BY THE JAPANESE ARMY REPORT
62
END
DEPARTMENT
Canton Nov. 30
I.J.A. Report Dept.
Mr. Kitamura, authority in Shipping navigation among the
Japanese forces for South-China and chief of a corp, stated as
follow.
At present, Whampoa, at a distance of 2 Kilometer east-
south from Canton, three ships of about 5,000 class can bring
alongside the pier, other three, along the quay-wall by the effort
of the Japanese Army. If in future the great port will be con-
structed there, the prosperity of Hong Kong must be snatched
away without doubt. It takes about a half hour to reach by motor
car from Canton, however the road, Canton-Whampoa, had already
been inaugurated by the local Chinese Government. So it can be
completed in the small cost and work. The Japanese Army is
also planning to make reclaimed land of about 100,000 moles
at just behind Whampoa, and in future it is to be opened for
the general use. Since it seems to me that Canton intends to
develop gradually toward the east direction, Whampoa has the
sufficient possibility to be a centre of shipping. Further.
Along the quay-wall of about 350 meters in the reclaimed land
at the corner of west-north of Honam, Canton, the vessel,
having draught of 5 meters, is being brought in there. If
behind the reclaimed land faced Shameen, a beautiful spot,
the new land of about 50,000 moles will be reclaimed, and the
port cannot bear comparison with the foreign and Issen Kissen
Compan 's wharves. Thus in future this port will be surely a
centre of an inland navigation. If the Japanese Army attempts
to let them use for the general purpose with its whole capacity
of transport, the prosperity of the port can be favourably
expected.