XXX SECRET (2).
55838/34/20
26
136
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
to 30
(27)
m/sh (28)
вору
Sir,
Zerminat
RECEIVED 8 APR 1940
0. O. REGY
27th March, 1940.
With reference to previous correspondence
terminating with your secret despatch of 23rd January,
1940, regarding the temporary agreement with the
Japanese for the navigation of the Pearl River, I
have the honour to report for your information that
on the night of 17th/18th March, 1940, an incident
occurred which illustrates the grave possibilities
of trouble inherent in the present arrangements
under the temporary agreement and emphasises the
desirability of reaching some more regular
arrangements by which ships might come and go
freely between Canton and Hong Kong.
2.
On the arrival of the so-called Japanese
Government chartered vessel S.S. "Shirogane Maru"
in Hong Kong on the evening of 17th March, 1940,
it was reported to the Police that a Chinese
Police Constable of the Hong Kong Police Force,
who was returning from leave in Canton, had been
detained on board by Japanese guards on allegations
of being a spy. None of the ship's officers could
be found to accept any responsibility in the matter
and although the Commissioner of Police undertook to
detain the constable for the fullest investigation,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
&C.,
&C., &C.