MESSAGE.
22
SECRET.
Received
Date 19.4.39
47
From
C. in C. China.
Time 1156
Inter-Departmental Cypher.
Addressed Naval Liaison Officer repeated His Majesty's
Ambassador Tokyo, H.M. Ambassador Shanghai, Commodore-in-Charge Hong Kong, Admiralty.
IMPORTANT.
232.
Your 1746 April 15th took three days to reach me
and should have been marked IMPORTANT. You should inform
Admiral Nomura for Admiral Oikawa that there is no doubt
of SAGRES nationality and of her right to wear British flag.
I cannot therefore recognise that Japanese navy had any
right under any circumstances to seize her, and having seized
her to refuse the request of Commanding Officer H.M.S. THRACIAN
to be allowed to board her and to verify her nationality
under flag verification procedure agreed to by our
respective Governments.
On these grounds you should again press for SAGRES
immediate release.
1141/19
1st Lord. 1st S. L.
2nd S.L.
3rd S.L.
4th 5. L. 5th S. 1. D.C.N.S. A.C.N.S.
Parl.
Sec.
Civil Lord.
Sec.
Naval Sec.
P.A.S.(S)
0.D. (3). D. of P.(3). D.N.T.(6) M.36 (12).
D.S.D.9. 0.1.C.(3).
Trade Div. (2).
BOTT
Foreign Office )
War Office
Air Ministry
to be sent
by M. Br.
D.D. of S.T. (Mr. Dorrell) (2)