M.C.
SECRET
From C.ir C. China,
MESSAGE
IN
DATE 10.4. 39.
RECD. 1145.
55
Interdepartmental Cypher.
Addressed Admiralty repeated Ambassador, Tokyo, 412,
Ambassador, Shanghai, 512, N.L.0. Shanghai, Commodore, Hong Kong. 955.
IMPORTANT
199
My 198 (1925/9). H. M.S. THRACIAN reports protests
were made as follows.
(a) Against abuse of flag verification procedure in that
he was not allowed to board and reveal the SAGRES nationality,
(b) Against seizure of ship,
2.
Protests were not repetition not specifically
made against (a) Japanese examination of manifest and cargo,
(b) Hoisting of Japanese flag.
(c) Right of SAGRES to wear British colours was repeatedly
stressed by boarding officer and finally by signal.
SAGRES wore British colours at ensign staff throughout with
Tapanese Ensign at main. Both ships were at action
stations and submarine periscope was reported very close.
SAGRES papers were in order on leaving Swatow on April 2nd,
Further details of SAGRES actions and intentions will follow
from Commodore, Hong Kong.
1045/10.
Note:- Advance copies to D.C.
1st Lord.
1st S.L.
D.C.N.S. A.C.N. S.
2nd S. L.
PARL. SEC.
P. A. S. (S).- O.D. (3) D. N. Ì. (6).
3rd S. L.
4th S. L.
SEC.
D. of P. (3).
NAVAL SEC.
D. S. D. 9.
5th S.I
CIVIL LORD. M. 36. (12).
& R.C.1550/10.
O.I.C. (3). Trade Div. (2). D.D. of S. T. (Mr.
Dorrell (2). Forcign Office)To be
War Office
sent by
Air Ministry M. Br.