CO129-570-10 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese seizure of the S.S. ASIAN- claims 15-2-1938 - 12-12-1938 — Page 43

DS.

COPY.

CONFIDENTIAL.

WRONGFUL SEIZURE BY JAPANESE.

Subject.. S.S. ASIAN

From... THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, CHINA STATION.

Date... 23rd March, 1938.

CUMBERLAND at Hong Kong.

No.1040.

TO.... THE COMMODORE, HONG KONG.

42

With reference to the letter received by

you fro Williamson & Co., dated 25th February, 1938, on the subject of the capture of s.s. ASI AN by the Japanese Navy, it is requested that you inform the British shipping firms and Harbour authorities in Hong Kong to the following effect:-

"CONFIDENTI AL".

"A case has recently occurred on the China Coast in which a British merchant ship was boarded and detained by the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was taken into custody escorted by a Japanese cruiser and destroyer, and while under Japanese control was wearing a large Japanese ensign at the fore, and the Red Ensign aft.

While in this state she was passed close to by several British ships, none of whom saw fit to report this most unusual occurrence, with the result that the British Authorities were not informed of this event until some days after it took place.

It is of great importance that Masters of British merchant ships should report any unusual occurrence which may come to their notice. Co-operation by the Merchant Navy in this matter will greatly facilitate the task of the British Authorities in maintaining the rights of the British Flag on the High Seas during the present Sino-Japanese hostilities."

(SGD) PERCY NOBLE.

VICE ADMIRAL.