CO129-563-11 Sino-Japanese War- political situation 17-8-1937 - 8-3-1938 — Page 15

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whose camera was seized by the Chinese Police. The party then

drove to SHATAUKOK Police Station whence Major SUZUKI was sent to

Hospital, where his shoulder was set the same afternoon. G.O.S.

III. later returned to the village with the Assistant Commissioner

of Police, through whose good offices the camera was recovered

from the Chinese Folice, after the latter had taken out the

film, which however only contained two group photographs of no

military or other significance.

Although the incident was fortunately thus

limited to the most trivial consequences, it might have had

very embarrassing results if the Japanese Consulate had attempted

to play it up on the grounds that the trip had been made under

the auspices of G.S.0. III. That they did not do so is no

doubt partly attributable to the fact that the party had tres-

passed (albeit unwittingly) on Chinese territory, but mainly

because the more responsible Japanese civil authorities, in

contradiction to their military and naval colleagues, are

genuinely anxious to avoid further friction with us if possible.

(Military).

(H.K.I.R. No.1/38.)