CO129-539-6 Anti-Japanese disturbances- alleged presence of Japanese warship 10-2-1932 - 5-7-1932 — Page 17

2

17

raised in the Press on account of the anti-Japanese

riots in the Colony; and I have the honour to transmit,

herewith, translations of a few Press cuttings on this

subject. I was convinced at the time that she was

sent for the reason stated in my despatch; and my

previous conviction is strengthened by the fact that

His Excellency's report shows that, on the occasion of this visit, permission to visit the Colony was

asked on the day of the visit itself and not, as is

habitual, some days in advance.

4.

As regards the statement of the Japanese Consul-General at Hong Kong, mentioned in paragraph 5

of His Excellency's despatch, I have the honour to

point out that it would have been strange had that

officer taken any other line than the one he did.

For I have no doubt that the Japanese Government, while feeling obliged to make a gesture to appease their own public, were anxious to avoid anything

likely to wound British susceptibilities. visit of the "Saga" exactly fulfilled the purpose since it passed off without evoking any comment or

any suggestion of humiliation in the Colony owing

to the fact that she was in the habit of visiting

Hong Kong at frequent intervals. Nothing was known

at the Embassy concerning this particular visit until

we read of it in the newspapers.

5.

The

As regards my observation that; "it

"is doubtful whether such a humiliation has ever been

"suffered by a British Colony in the Far East before",

I trust it is unnecessary for me to assure you that

I/