CO129-563-18 Sino-Japanese War- stopping of British shipping by Japanese 11-9-1937 - 29-12-1937 — Page 146

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MESSAGE

IN

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FROM: C. in C. China (in FALMOUTH)

DATE:- 22. 9. 37

RECD:- 2300

P/L

ADDRESSED:- China Station Nr. 062 D. repeated Admiralty.

255. (1) Japanese Government have agreed to the following procedure so far as vessels flying the British

flag are concerned in connection with the closing of the

China Coast to chinese shipping. (a) If a British man of

war is present Japanese men of war may request her to

verify right of ship to fly British flag. A Japanese naval

officer may be requested to attend on board the merchant

ship if desired. (B) If no British man of war is present

Japanese may board a ship to establish her nationality by

examining her certificates of registry. The Japanese

warship will inform British Naval Authorities by quietest available means. British merchant ships so boarded

having instructions also to inform nearest British Naval

Authority immediately. In either case (A) or (B)

H.M. Ships and Authorities concerned are to report to

Commander in Chief.

(2) Following instructions have been issued to British

Merchant ships. Begins: Japan having declared the whole

of the Chinese Coast closed to Chinese shipping following

arrangements have been agreed to as between Great Britain

and Japan.

Masters of British ships in the Far East are

advised that if they are requested to stop by a Japanese

Warship and if none of H.M. Ships is present, they should

allow Japanese to board the ship to identify her nationality

and examine her certificate of registry. On each occasion

a report should immediately be made to the nearest British

Naval