MESSAGE.
From C.in C. China.
Inter-Departmental Cypher.
IN.
47/25
Date
11/5/39.
Read 0120.
(34)
Addressed - Admiralty. Repeated H. M. Ambassador, Shanghai.533.
H..Ambassador, Tokyo. 429. Governor, Hong Kong. Commodore, Hong Kong. N.L.O. Shanghai.
317.
In reply to a protest delivered to ASAKAZL off
Foochow on April 17th, on the subject of Japanese
interference with junks and lighters alongside British
ships in Min River, for transmission to C.in C. 5th Fleet,
the Japanese state:-
"The Japanese Naval Authorities cannot feel that
the incident referred to constitutes any justifiable
grounds for protest. The Japanese Navy as you are
aware are intercepting Chinese shipping for reasons of
military necessity and for the attainment of that object
we are taking such measures as circumstances may dictate
vis-a-vis Chinese ships and Chinese military supplies".
The intensification of Japanese blockade of
the South China Coast since the beginning of April has
been directed chiefly against Norwegian ships, several
of which have been seized and against British ships of
the lesser lines some of whom have been engaged in
activities which if a state of war existed would come
under (?heading of) Foreign Office: 203 to Tokyo
paragraph two sub paragraphs (one) and (two). By their
actions in (?river) Japanese apparently consider (?salt)
(?tea) and carriage of Chinese Government money as
contraband, and ships chartered to Chinese firms are most
liable to interference and seizure.
/The....