6.
2.
174
(a) Could Anti-Japanese tone of local Chinese
newspapers be prevented? (b) Had I had request from
Chungking that murderers of Wang Ching-wei's nephew
should be handed over to Chinese Government authorities?
(c) Had three Chinese war vessels in Hong Kong been dis-
armed and prohibited from using wireless?
Consul General explained that questions 3 and
5 were asked without any authority. These suggestions
were not made in bargaining fashion though I suspect
that numbers 3 and 4 are inter alia connected.
I replied as follows:
1. No objection on our part (this has been under
discussion at Canton for some time).
2. Enquiry would be made of Naval authorities but
Commodore has
personally I thought that most unlikely.
now informed me that this is out of the question.
3. Had better be put in writing but naturally we
wished to see trade resumed on Pearl River.
4. Enquiries would be made.
5. This was a matter for Japanese but presence of
troops right on border was apt to lead to disturbed
?
conditions which were undesirable.
6. (a) Our censorship is strict but we do not
profess to control views of newspapers. I mentioned
Anti-British propaganda in Canton but made no request
regarding it. (b) No. (c) I was unaware of three such
vessels but all were immobilized and none allowed to
possess wireless.