CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938 — Page 179

INQUIRY HELD AT THE SUPREME COURT, HONG KONG, ON THE 18th, 19th, 21st AND 22nd OCTOBER, 1937, INTO SINKING OF CHINESE FISHING FLEET OFF CHELONG LIGHTHOUSE ON

22nd SEPTEMBER, 1937.

Chairman:

His Honour Sir Atholl MacGregor, Chief Justice.

Members: Commander J. B. Newill, D.S.O., R.N. (Rtd.), and

Mr. J. A. Fraser, M.C.

Mr. J. Whyatt, Assistant Attorney General, presented the witnesses.

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:

10.00 a.m. 18th October, 1937.

1. Chairman: Mr. Whyatt, the Commission would like to be informed if there are

any parties present who desire to take part in these proceedings.

2. Mr. Whyatt: I am instructed that an official communication was sent to the Japanese Consul General informing him that this inquiry would be held and that the Commission would commence its sittings in the Supreme Court on the 18th October for the purpose of taking the evidence. Subsequently the Secretary of

3.

the Commission had an interview with the Japanese Consul General and I think perhaps the most convenient course would be for me to read the correspondence that followed.

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SIR,

SECRETARIAT FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS,

HONG KONG, 16th October, 1937.

Re COMMISSIONERS POWERS ORDINANCE, 1886. PROCLAMATION No. 9 OF 1937.

I have the honour to refer to our conversation in your office on the morning of October the 13th when you informed me that you did not desire "to be present at the inquiry personally or to be represented at the proceedings. "You stated however that it was your intention to instruct a member of your staff to attend in order to observe the proceedings, but added subsequently on "October the 16th that this was subject to any instructions that you might

possibly receive from your Government in the meantime.

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I would be glad if you could inform me whether the position is still as you stated it to me on October the 13th.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant. (Sd.) J. C. MCDOUALL,

Secretary to the Commissioners.

His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Consul-General,

Hong Kong.”

4.

SIR,

A reply was received to that letter this morning:

H.I.J.M.'s CONSULATE GENERAL,

HONG KONG, October 18th, 1937-

In reference to your letter of October the 16th, 1937, I beg to state that I "will not be present at the proceedings nor will I send any representative or "observer.

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I am.

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

"The Secretary to the Commissioners.

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Hong Kong."

(Sd.) K. MinZUSAWA, Consul-General for Japan.

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