CO129-563-18 Sino-Japanese War- stopping of British shipping by Japanese 11-9-1937 - 29-12-1937 — Page 94

justified on the merits of the case) disputes as to the

functions of the Japanese Inspecting Officers would be

more likely to arise in particular cases, and the definite

nature of the arrangements, to which 3ir Robert Craigie

attaches so much importance, would be impaired.

I am to add that in view of the considerable number

of instances which have been reported where the Japanese

in boarding British vessels have not carried out the

conditions on which such boarding is permitted, it seems

very desirable that the suggestion contained in the

penultimate paragraph of the Board's letter of 5th October

(as to securing that the conditions laid down by His

Majesty's Government respecting the boarding of British

ships are communicated to the Japanese naval authorities)

is carried into effect at the earliest possible date.

In this connection, the Board desire to support the

suggestion put forward in the penultimate paragraph of the

/Admiralty

95