SECRET
MESSAGE
DATE:
youg
IN
24.7.39.
REC'D: 1620
From: C. in C. China.
Addressed:
Interdepartmental Cypher
28
Commodore Hong Kong, repeated Consul General, Canton, S.N.O. West River, S.N.O.Canton, Admiralty, Ambassador Shanghai 641.
MKB
IMPORTANT
703.8/Your 1149 July 24th to C. in C. only and S.N.O. West River's 1154 July 24th. INGRED
I do not consider that indications are at present
sufficient to show that proceedings at Tientsin are likely
to be repeated at Canton.
On previous occasions we have
agreed to the Japanese closing the river for military
reasons which have later been justified.
I agree that
two weeks is a long period and I approve of an attempt
being made at Canton to persuade Japanese to reduce this.
It is however most undesirable at the moment to take
any action which might jeopardize the delicate negotiations
now proceeding at Tokyo, and as we have a gunboat at
Canton and there are no indications of food shortage at
Shameen I do not consider paragraph 3 of my 1720 July 22nd
is at present applicable.
As Americans have gunboats at Canton their case is
stronger, and you will, of course, work in close
collaboration with American authorities in this matter.
1st Lord
1st S.I.
2nd S.L.
3rd S.L. 4th S.I..
5th S.L. D.C.N.S. A.C.N.S. PARL.SEC. CIVIL LORD
SEC.
Naval Sec. P.A.S.(S)
O.D. (3) D.N.I. (6) M.36 (17) D. of P.(3) D.S.D.9 0.1.C.(4) D.T.D. (3) D.L.D.1
.D
•
1915/24
Foreign Office )To be War Office
Air Ministry
D. of S.T. (5)
)sent by
M.Branch
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