NC 41 (4/72V(1)/39).
IMMEDIATE
British Embassy,
Tokyo.
21st February 1939
26
Your Excellency,
I have been informed by the Governor of
Hongkong that Japanese aeroplanes, in the course of bombing operations this morning on the border of Hongkong territory, dropped several bombs on railway trains well within British territory, in such a
manner as to suggest that the object of their
attack was Shamchun Railway Bridge, which is within
the borders of the Colony.
2.
Pending the receipt of any instructions which I may receive from His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, I have the honour to bring this information to Your Excellency's urgent
attention, and to enter a strong protest against
this attack on British territory.
I avail myself of this opportunity to
renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my
highest consideration.
His Excellency,
Mr. Hachiro Arita,
His Imperial Japanese Majesty's
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
(sgd) R. L. CRAIGIE.