CO129-563-18 Sino-Japanese War- stopping of British shipping by Japanese 11-9-1937 - 29-12-1937 — Page 134

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned

to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]

135

From JAPAN.

Decode.

Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo).

5th October, 1937.

D.

5.38 p.m.

5th October, 1957.

9.50 a.m.

5th October, 1937.

47

Io. 491. (R).

Your telegram To. 340.

Following is substance of reply from the Minister

of Foreign Affairs.

Japanese Goverment will not deny validity of transfers

even those subsequent to August 25th where they have been

affected in accordance with British law. They consider

British view is correct in above respect and that only

British authorities can determine validity of transfer under

British law.

Since however there may be Jhinese vessels effecting a

fictitious transfer subsequent to that date it may be

necessary to inspect and detain such vessels to enquire into

their real nationality.

To avoid complications Japanese Government would be glad if they could be supplied with a list of vessels transferred

from Chinese to British Registry subsequent to August 15th

and schedule of sailings of British ships.

ddressed to "oreign Office No. 491 repeated to Tanking

and Commander-in-Chief.