SECRET
MESSAGE
FROM: Naval Liaison Officer, Shanghai.
IN.
33 35
DATE: 27.4.09.
RECD: 1765.
Interdepartmental Cypher.
ADDRESSED: C.in C. China repeated British Ambassador Tokyo,
British Ambassador Shanghai, Commodore Hong Kong, Admiralty.
IMPORTANT.
4)
My 1545 April 20th. I have today received a letter from
Vice Admiral Nomura containing Vice Admiral Oikawa's reply to
your message. Substance is as follows begins: while there
appears to be no doubt as to the nationality of the steamship
SAGRES being British
(a) her cargo was composed wholly of salt needed by
Chinese Government.
(b) she was operating under direction from Chinese
Government
(c) the handling of the cargo etc. was under the
supervision of Chinese regulars
(d) Among ship's crew were some not included in the
crew list and whose status is therefore not clear.
With foregoing facts brought to light it is difficult to
consider the activity of the ship as being merely that of
peaceful trade there being conclusive grounds for holding that
she was rendering military assistance to the Chiang Kai Shek
regime. Further enquiry into the details of the case is
therefore being continued.
1st Lord. D.C.N.S.
1st S.L.
2nd S. L.
Ends.
P.A.S.(S).
A.C.N.S. O.D. (3). PARL.SEC. D.N.I.(6).
3rd S.L. CIVIL LORD M.36. (12)
4th S. L. SEC.
B.A.
5th S. L.
D. of P.(3). NAVAL SEC.D.S.D.9.
1550/27.
0.1.C.(3).
Trade Div. (2). Foreign Office War Office Air Ministry
R. C. (3). \co
foof T
To be
sent by M.Branch.