CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938 — Page 41

No. SECRET.

AIR MAIL.

Copy to B.E.Tokyo.

ما

41

97

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

96.

HONG KONG.

17th December, 1937.

Enclosures Nos.1-14.

(Originals to F.O

Doplicates h.w).

Enclosures ret'd

by F.O

bb

(85)

Cape w/o email to admy

encel in

w.o

Co 1.0

r/m

J

Sir,

(90)

In continuation of my secret telegram No.317 of

the 16th of December, 1937, regarding the attack by a

Japanese destroyer on the Chinese Maritime Customs armed

cruiser "Chahsing" within the three-mile limit, I have

the honour to forward for your consideration the accompanying

copies of reports and statements, together with a chart shewing the positions of the vessels and other explanatory

photographs, as in the schedule annexed.

2. It will be observed that throughout the incident until she was towed away to the high seas by the Japanese destroyer's launches from the beach in British territory, the Customs cruiser was in British waters, which she is entitled to use for the purpose of reaching Chinese territory to the North of Deep Bay, and the Sham Chun

river.

The attack on the cruiser, the driving her ashore on a British beach, and the taking of her away as a prize would have been in my opinion and that of my advisers wholly unjustifiable in international law, even if war had been declared by Japan against China, and the same applies to the landing of armed Japanese and the firing of shells on to the British shore. Furthermore the

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

W.G.A. ORMS BY-GORE, P.C., M.P.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.