34
A
a period of six hours for the discharge of the cargo.
further lighter was immediately procured but after the
lapse of some two hours when approximately 1,000 cases
had been unloaded into the lighters, a Japanese motor boat
appeared accompanied by two other armed motor boats with
some soldiers on board. They insisted on the cargo being
returned to the ship which was, in due course, done, The
ship remained at anchor until about 10 p.m. that day when
she steamed off accompanied by the motor boats. At the
time of the seizure the ship was flying the British Flag
and her papers were in order.
3.
The reason for this action by the Japanese author-
ities is not known and I am at a loss to understand it in
any circumstances. It has long been established that
Japanese Naval Authorities may only board British vessels
in order to ascertain their national character, and then
only when no British man-of-war is in the neighbourhood.
Upon ascertaining that the ship's papers are in order
(of which I understand there was no doubt in this case),
the vessel shall be permitted to proceed on her voyage with-
out further interference. Even assuming that there was any
reason to suspect or detain the vessel in question, im-
mediate steps should have been taken to intimate the seizure
to the British authorities in accordance with flag veri-
fication procedure, and there seems to be no explanation
of the ship's having been hidden away at "hampoa without
any notification to the authorities concerned – more
especially as both shi, and cargo have now been detained
nearly one month.
The favour of an early reply, and of action as
desired in paragraph 1 of this despatch, is requested.
(Signed)
I have, etc.,
A.P. Blunt
Consul-General.