CO129-563-18 Sino-Japanese War- stopping of British shipping by Japanese 11-9-1937 - 29-12-1937 — Page 102

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were to prevent the landing of any cargo discharged from

neutral vessels.

I am also to refer to the statement in telegram

No. 488 from Tokyo to the effect that Chinese junks and

lighters engaged in discharge of cargo from British vessels

will be stopped by Japanese warships if after entering one

port they go on to another. The interference threatened

is apparently not limited to cases where the unloading is

considered by the Japanese to be "not legitimate”. The

Board see no justification for such interference,

especially if it has hitherto been a normal practice for

junks or lighters carrying to land cargo from ocean going

shipa to discharge this cargo in more than one port.

Board have no information on this point, but His Majesty's

Representatives in China will no doubt be able to

ascertain the position by local enquiry, and will also be

able to sscertain whether cargo from ocean going vessels

which is carried to land on junks or lighters is

accompanied by documents sufficient to identify it in the

event of the junk or lighter being examined by Japanese

The

officers.

/The