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CYTHER/OTP
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Sir R. Stevenson. No. 358.
20th April, 1948.
D: 10.55 a.m. 20th April,1948.
R: 1.02 p.m.20th April,1948.
IMPORTANT
wh
CONFIDENTIAL
Your telegram No. 330.
Canton incident.
5- MAY 1948
Note is being addressed to Minister for Foreign Affairs accordingly.
2. Reuters local correspondent who is anxious to know the merits of the case regarding compensation issue has so far merely been informed that no progress had been made. as the matter may be raised in the House of Commons the time has perhaps come to tell Routers' correspondent some thing more definite and I would there- fore propose to let him know that preliminary estima tes of losses now available show a total of about £3 million and that a formal claim has been communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accordingly. I should, however, be grateful for your approval in this respect, as while it is clearly advisable to avoid any too provocative statement to the local press it would not serve any useful purpose to withhold from Reuter here, information such as the amount of claim if it is to be given full publicity in Parliament.
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