CO129-539-6 Anti-Japanese disturbances- alleged presence of Japanese warship 10-2-1932 - 5-7-1932 — Page 18

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I intended no reflection whatever on the Administration

of the Colony which it would be gross impertinence on my

part to criticise. At the same time I confess that I did

feel it to be a humiliation that a Japanese man-of-war should be sent to a British Colony on account of disorders, even though they were, no doubt, entirely unavoidable. And my feelings were shared by the not inconsiderable

number of British subjects who mentioned the matter to me. For it attracted great attention here possibly because

our nerves were already exasperated by the mutiny at Invergordon and the departure from the gold standard. At the same time I did not know, when my despatch was written, that the "Saga" was in the habit of visiting Hong Kong; and that her visit would, in consequence, attract no attention except in Japan.

6.

PRETICAN VEN 45 10%

30%

Sik

Finally I have the honour to inform you that

I did

Sir William Peel, most courteously, sent me a copy of his despatch of the 15th January when it was written.

not make any observations on it because I did not feel able to revise the opinion I had already expressed and I wished to avoid controversy. Now the matter has come up again, I should like to express my thanks to His Excellency for

his consideration.

A copy of this despatch is being sent to His

Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.

I have the honour to be,

With the highest respect,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

(SD) F. O. LINDLEY