CO129-570-10 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese seizure of the S.S. ASIAN- claims 15-2-1938 - 12-12-1938 — Page 42

COPY.

SUBJECT

S.S.

ASIAN.

41

FROM.

Staff officer (Intelligence), Hong Kong.

DATE. 18th March, 1938.

ΤΟ.

No. C.L.E. 18/3.

Staff Officer (Intelligence), Afloat, H.M.S.

CUMBERLAND (for information of Chief of Staff).

Reference owner's report on seizing of s.s. ASIAN and H.K.I.R. No.4/38 Item 7(1) and No.5/38 Item 9(ii).

I have interviewed S.T. Williamson (17/3/38) and he stated that he had not as yet said anything to the heads of the shipping lines concerned about their ships possibly having seen ASIAN after capture and not reporting it. He mentioned Masson (Head of Butterfield & Swire) as being in Shanghai at present.

Williamson also suggested that the Master of the ASIAN (Creer) probably "had a few words" with any of his opposite numbers he suspected as not having reported the incident.

(Creer however was not in Hong Kong for long this last time after being released).

Williamson feels that a letter from the Commander-in- Chief to shipping lines in Hong Kong, pointing out that it is important to report any untoward occurrence and to look out for such occurrences in these times, would be a good thing. He does not mind the ASIAN being mentioned but wanted to avoid an impression of having complained to the Commander-in-Chief! has of course not done so, the report merely gives the Captain's views on the subject. If such a letter is written it is suggested a copy is sent to the Harbour Authorities, Hong Kong, this should cover the Gap Rock incident.

He

I understand the Commodore, Hong Kong, considers it desirable that firms should be reminded of their duty to report such incidents, this for this own good as much as anything.

Williamson took up the following point with the Japanese Consul-General (I believe at the instigation of the Hong Kong Harbour Authorities). The Japanese Consul-General was quoted in the Hong Kong press as saying in an interview "the ASI AN was captured on the high seas and an irregularity was discovered in her papers so she was detained". Williamson pointed out that if there was an irregularity in the papers the ship should not have been released, and if there was not, she should not have been taken to the Pescadores. The Japanese Consul-General replied to the effect that the papers were not quite to the satisfaction of the Imperial Japanese Navy who were in charge of the Blockade.

My personal opinion is that in this particular case Williamson is on safe ground and it will be interesting to see if the Japanese pay up and hope for no more questions from us or if they will try and find some technical faults in order to save themselves.

(SGD)

C.S. EDWARDS.

CAPTAIN, R.M.