103
NO DISTRIBUTION.
Decode. Mr. Blunt.
(Canton)
21st January 1939.
D. W/T 21st January 1939.
R. 5.20 p.m.
21st January 1939.
No.7. R.
00000000000000000000
Addressed to Governor Hongkong No. 13 January 21st.
(Please pass to Senior Naval Officer West River as my
telegram No.5).
(16)
My telegram No.11.
Shipping situation is now as follows:
(a) Colonial uffice telegram No.12 to you.
I informed
my Japanese colleague accordingly January 17th and have had
further discussions with him since. Request for first
Japanese Government chartered vessel is probable within the
next few days.
(b) S. S. "Kinslan left December 17 th. No difficulties
on either journey gp. undec.] Canton. On return voyage
she carried some Chinese passengers, a number of cases of personal effects and some mails, by previous arrangement
with the Japanese authorities and Customs. My Japanese
colleague told me yesterday that we could look forward to
no further early sailing of this vessel.
(c) My Japanese colleague also told me yesterday that
agreement for return of interned British merchant vessels to
Hongkong could be expected within the next week.
2. A direct service run by 0. S. K. between Osaka-Canton
has been publicly announced. First ship Seikyo Maru left
Osaka January 13th and arrived January 18th and there is to