CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938 — Page 128

SECRET.

MESSAGE.

To

9. in C. China 80. Commodore, Hong Kong. 210.

DATE

RECD

...

OUT.

93

141

21.12.37.

NAVAL CYPHER (D).

Addressed C. in C. China repeated Commodore, Hong Kong,

From Admiralty.

Your 2009/12.

Chah-Sing incident.

Foreign office are

repeating to you text of protest to be made at Tokyo.

It has not been possible to accept suggestion that

maritime customs vessels should be excluded from British

territorial waters, because such action would seriously handi-

eap them in carrying out their customs duties. As you are

aware, H.M.Government are gravely concerned over the future of maritime customs, and do not wish to take any action which

might prejudice their working.

In spite of fact that they are armed public vessels, it is thought that customs vessels could be distinguished from warships on the ground that they have no commission entitling them to take offensive action against an enemy.

1st Lord. 1st .L.

2nd S.I.

3rd S.L.

4th S.L

D.C.N.S.

A.C.N.S. (AIR)

A.C.N.S.

PARL. SEC.

CIVIL LORD.

SEC.

NAVAL SFC.

P.A.S.(S).

D.S.D.9. N.I.D.

8.

O.D. (3).

D.N.I.(6).

M. (10 M.35. M.34.

D. of P.(3).

HYDROG.

Plans (Trade)(2).

Foreign Office

War Office Air Ministry

1845/21.

for Head of M.

to be sent by M. Br.