Left at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On May 20th, 1940.
38
His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton reports
that although the Japanese Authorities have stated that the
Pearl River is being reopened, they are making it dependent
upon certain demands. Among other things they demand
agreement to the stationing of a detachment of gendarmerie in the compound above Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's wharf,
the reason given being to prevent smuggling into unoccupied
China. Until this proposal is accepted the memorandum of
April 12th regarding permission for British ships to carry
cargo will not be put into force. It also appears that
lighter and stevedore monopoly has been established which
claims the sole right to transport goods from ship to
Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's own godown and will not
allow the firm's own coolies to handle them. Mr. Toller
has protested orally to his Japanese colleague against this
attempt to extend Japanese control over British shipping under the guise of a step towards opening the river and has
refused to entertain the demand, stating that the immunity
of British property is a matter of principle.