F 1423/26/10
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
19th March 1940.
| 22
Sir,
I am directed by Viscount Halifax to enclose a copy of a despatch which he has received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton reporting upon the introduction by the Japanese authorities of new regulations governing pilotage on the Pearl River.
2.
These regulations appear to have been drawn up expressly for enforcement "during the time of the river's "closure" (see enclosure 2, supplementary rule), in accordance presumably with the provisions of Article 5 (e) of the temporary agreement initialled by the British and Japanese Consuls-General at Canton on 4th July, 1939, as reported in Canton despatch No. 95 of 10th July, a copy of which is enclosed for the information of the Ministry of Shipping.
3. Although these regulations purport to be a temporary measure of a military nature, they contain certain objectionable features which the Japanese authorities will probably try to perpetuate when the river is reopened to foreign shipping. These are in particular the imposition of compulsory pilotage at excessive rates and with exemptions designed to discriminate in favour of Japanese trade.
4.
It will be observed from the enclosed despatch that His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton has already registered a protest with his Japanese colleague and has reserved all rights of His Majesty's Government and of British subjects. Lord Halifax however considers that the matter warrants formal representations at Tokyo, and subject to the views of the Ministry of Shipping and the Board of Trade, to whom a similar letter has been addressed, he would propose to issue instructions to Sir Robert Craigie to act accordingly after consulting his United States and French colleagues and ascertaining that they have either made or agree to make parallel representations.
5.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Admiralty.
I am, etc.,
(Signed) R.G. Howe.
The Secretary,
Ministry of Shipping.
The Secretary
to the Board of Trade.