COPY
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Dear Sirs,
C.N.CO.
92
HONG KONG.
23rd April, 1940.
Canton Trade.
You have probably seen references
in the press to the alleged opening of the Pearl River on
20th April by the Japanese military, and we enclose copy of
the announcement made by their Consulate-General in Canton
from which you will see that the proposals, if we were
prepared to play, would really leave us rather worse off
than we are at present.
As a result, apparently, of their uncertainty as to our
reactions, the Japanese have not so far given the matter the
degree of publicity that might have been expected since the
move is obviously a political one for American benefit, but
should they attempt to make more capital out of it, it may be
advisable to prick the balloon, and a question in the House
might be effective when the Foreign and Colonial Offices have
been properly primed.
We think our authorities here can be kept on the right
lines for the time being, and in this connection we enclose
a copy of our letter to Canton of 22nd April. The dangers
of trying to compromise on the issue are obvious.
Messrs. John Swire & Sons, Ltd.,
LONDON.
Yours faithfully,
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE.