MEMORANDUM
BOARDING OF MERCHANT VESSELS WING SANG & KWONG HING.
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With reference to your representation in connection with
these matters on January 31st, I have now received information
regarding the circumstances of these cases and I have the
honour to reply as follows.
I take this opportunity to mention that while Great
Britain has encroached upon the peaceful trade of 3rd Powers
during the current European War by proclaiming war contraband
and introducing the Order in Council relating to the Seizure
of German Exports, and has been responsible for the ASAMA-
MARU Incident in a position far removed from the area of
hostilities, Japan is carrying out operations under conditions
of difficulty imposed by the respect shown to the peaceful
trade of 3rd Powers, in spite of the fact that she is engaged
in large-scale hostilities. I request you will not lose sight
of these circumstances.
1.
Boarding of WING SANG
With regard to the armed boarding party, the boat's
crew, who were under arms, went on board with the boarding
party as a precaution against possible resistance by the
Chinese.
The fact that the boarding was carried out at night
was an additional reason for this precaution.
With regard to the failure to sign the log-book, it is
the custom of the Japanese Navy, in accordance with international
procedure, to sign the log-book if the master of the
ship does not object.
It appears that in this instance,
owing to some mistake, this action was omitted.
This omission being contrary to the custom of the Japanese
Navy, I beg to inform you that proper steps have been taken
to prevent any recurrence.
It appears to be true that the boarding was carried out
in/