Byirmail.
No. 3 (1/60/1939)
Copies sent to:
Commander-in-Chief No.2 Foreign Office No. 19 Consul-General, Shanghai No.9
114
BRITISH EMBASSY,
XXXXXXX
BHANGAI, 7th January, 1939
wemorandum.
sir,
I transmit to you herewith a copy of a memorandum
which has been communicated to me by the Japanese authori-
ties alleging the abuse of the British flag by a Chinese
torpedo boat. It has been confirmed by the Japanese
authorities that the British flag alleged to have been
hoisted by the Chinese vessel was the white ensign, and
not the red ensign which might more easily be confused
with the Chinese national flag.
2. Since this is the first case of alleged misuse
of the British ensign by a Chinese warship which the
Japanese have reported I shall be glad if you will bring
the circumstances thereof to the notice of the Chinese
Government, say that ir the incident has been correctly
reported it appears to call for strong protest, and
request that steps be taken to prevent a recurrence of
such abuse.
J.D. Greenway, squire,
H.M. Diplomatic mission,
CHUNGKING.
I am,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
(Signed)
ARCHIBALD CLARK KERR