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DEPT. 20/5
27/5
MESSAGE
SECRET
From: N.1.0. Shanghai
538:8/0
INTERDEPARTMENTAL CYPHER
Correctio
Date:
Recd:
41
14.5.39
1310
Addressed: C.in C. China repeated Commodore in Charge,
Hong Kong, Admiralty, British Ambassador Tokyo, British Ambassador Shanghai.
IMPORTANT
24
My 1140 of May 13th (not to Admiralty or Commodors
Hong Kong) During this interview I brought up the BAGRES case
again, drew attention to fact that ship had been illegally
arrested since April 8th whilst carrying on perfectly legitimat
trade and again demanded her immediate release.
20
Admiral Nomura replied he regretted that matter was stil
being investigated, but drew attention to following points:
(a) Certificate of registry gives owner as Kong Hong Company,
registered in Hong Kong, who bought ship from Greenberg,
(b) In other papers found owner's name is given as Williamson.
(c) No reference to Charter Party or deed of charter saying
vessel was chartered by Williamson to Douglas was carried in ship.
(a) Copy of letter written by purchasing Naval Mission of Pakie Government to Douglas Company was found in vessel. Substan of letter was that Chinese Officer or Officers will be stationed on Ship to superintend loading or unloading of cargo and, if during such operations ship should be visited by Japanese boarding party, measures should be taken to hide Chinese Officers in ship so as to enable them to so escape capture by Japanese.
3.
Admiral Nomura presumes original of (a) is held by Douglɛ
Company Hong Kong,
4, With regard to (c) I stated it was not necessary for a
vessel to carry this document and that it was usually kept in a
bank.
5:
Admiral Nomura further drew attention to the fact that
•ship was loading salt for Chinese Government a commodity which
as far as the Chinese are concerned, Japanese look upon as being
of military assistance.
6.
He stated that he felt sure that if you could give an
assurance that British ships would not deal in this trade, it
would not be necessary to stop and board British ships to anythi
like the extent that has been found necessary up to date.
1st Lord D.C.N.S.
1st S.1. A.C.N.S.
2nd S.L. PARL SLC.
P.A.S. (S) O.D. (3) D.N.I. (6)
3rd S.L. CIVIL LORD
M. 36 (12)
EBD.
5th S.L. SEC
D. of P. (3)
4th 9.1. NAVAL SEC. D.S.D. 9
O.I.C.(3)
1545/15
Trade Division (2) Foreign Office)To be War Office
sent by
Air Ministry M. Br.
D.L.OF S.T.(2)