CO129-570-13 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attack on a fishing junk 23-5-1938 - 10-12-1938 — Page 69

P 5529/19/10

sir,

山

PURKION OPPICE,

3.5.1.

27th May, 1988.

69

with reference to the letter No. 53888/10/7/88

addressed by the Colonial office to this department on the

23rd Way, of which a copy was sent to the Admiralty, I am

directed by Viscount Halifax to request you to inform the

Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that in his opinion it

is highly advisable that the intermittent petrol which has

been established in Hong Kong territorial waters by one of

His Majesty's ships should be strengthened by the inauguration

of a regular patrol.

2. Lord Halifax is advised that, as the object of the

patrol would be to prevent violations of British territorial

waters, the nationality of the vessels which might thereby

receive protection within Hong Kong waters is irrelevant.

Hostile action by the Japanese against ships of any nationality

in these waters may therefore lawfully, and should be prevented

by His Majesty's chips.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Colonial

office.

The secretary

of the Admiralty.

I am

air,

Your obedient servant,

(Sd.) R. G. 0