CYPHER TELEGRA from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Dated 23rd February, 1939. Received 10.33 a.m. 23rd Feb.
15.
90
IMEDIATE.
No.79.
Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies telegram No.79 of the 23rd February repeated to Tokyo telegram iio.24 Shanghai No.34 Canton No.20. Tokyo telegram No.173 to the Foreign office.
(14) B
I venture to express opinion that expression of regret
and offer of compensation are adequate.
114) A
Reference to subsequent telegram No.174 I am prepared
to believe airmen implicated had lost their bearings but there is no room for dispute as to the number of aeroplanes which dropped bombs and used machine-guns upon British territory. Many competent observers can testify that two aeroplanes dropped four bombs upon British railway station killing one Indian Policeman and eight Chinese. Third machine of the same flight diverged and dropped two bombs in two consecutive dives upon a train standing a mile distant from the railway station. One of these three machines also dropped another bomb on British territory a few hundred yards from the railway station killing one or more Chinese. In addition to foregoing three other aeroplanes flew over British torritory in the course of their attack on wireless station in Chinese territory> aeroplanes violated British territory.
In all six
As regards the assurance that disciplinary measures would be taken against the airmen responsible General Officer Com:anding advises and I concur that such a guarantee is not required. We are quito prepared to leave disciplinary action to
anv
British
the judgement of the J panese Commanders concerned. Commanders have always objected to furnishing such guarantees prior to investigation by them,
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