5
These series of attacks by Japanese
auxiliary war vessels on Hong Kong and Chinese trawlers and cargo junks around Hong Kong waters are not only barbarous, but also highly inimical to the Colony's food supply. These attacks from time to time in the past have actually been delivered within the territorial limits of Hong Kong, although the great majority occur in the surrounding high seas or in Chinese territorial waters. We have consistently failed to obtain either redress from the Japanese Government through diplomatic representations at Tokyo, or adequate defensive action by H.M. Ships to prevent their recurrence and to protect at least Hong Kong registered vessels.
In another connection we have now been told by the Governor that the Colony is dependent on supplies landed by Japanese trawlers to such an extent that their withdrawal would seriously affect the food supply of the Colony, and that in consequence we should not in Hong Kong risk imposing a requirement that alien vessels under 1,000 tons which seek to use the port of Hong Kong should not carry wireless sets.
I suggest that we should send to Commander Norfolk at the Admiralty (and a copy of the covering letter to Commander Barry, N.I.D.) the original of No. 13, at the same time as the
ask duplicate goes to the Foreign Office; Commander Norfolk to return the original in due course, but comment on the general situation to which we are exposed in this matter on the lines of my minute above, and include also a copy of the Hong Kong telegram No. 358: we should go on to say that it is not clear that the Naval C.-in-C. has had the opportunity to agree with the conclusions in that telegram, but that obviously the risk to the security of Hong Kong in accepting the present
ask whether it is position is a considerable one: considered impossible to provide any Naval protection for Hong Kong registered fishing vessels on fishing grounds side at no great distance from Hong Kong waters so that there might be less apprehension on the part of the local Government if measures considered necessary against Japanese trawlers were taken and resulted in the withdrawal of some or all of the Japanese vessels from calling at Hong Kong.
.7.5.41.
Ent
Palder
8-541
الية
Transfo to 1302 of
Gal See
Nocê
a. 1912.
नগল
14 To Reden Commander Morfolk Whopy 13 med.
15 To Barry W/Gppy
14.
& 9 (Tel No 13158) come
12 A
8/55
10.5 41
10.5.41