CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938 — Page 14

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in the Far East is likely to be maintained by a

failure to take very seriously any infringement of

our position in Hong Kong.

The prospect of a Japanese army establishing

itself in neighbouring territory in South China with

all the consequent risks of further incidents which

that would involve, is, to my mind, itself a strong

argument in favour of our not letting this opportunity

go by to make very clear the importance which we

attach to the integrity of our position in the

Colony.

The whole question is likely to be brought

before the Cabinet, and in the circumstances it may

be as well not to proceed with these drafts, but

instead to put up a memorandum for the Secretary of

State on these particular incidents of the Chinese

Maritime Customs ship "Chah Sing" and of such reports

have as come to us regarding the Japanese intentions

to land an army in South China in the very near

future.

X2 Gaut

17-12

M. Gent has cleach summarized what took place at the meeting at the F.O. this morning; and in the circumstances lapse with the action which he proposes withe last parapaph of his minute.

Jamapaid that I do not aque with his

observation that

that the whole discussion and the Conclusions reached the "undul, defratist" and