CO129-570-8 Sino-Japanese War- sinking of Chinese fishing boats by Japanese vessel 31-1-1938 - 22-12-1938 — Page 12

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I agree that we should reply to

the Foreign Office as at Q of Mr. Rogers'

minute of 14.5.38, and I should then say Evidena and of the

that, in view of the findings in the Report,

the Secretary of State considers that it is

Con

impossible to accept the Japanese tentions

as set out in Sir R. Craigie's telegram

No.497;

that, as a matter of broad policy

as well as on the merits of the case, he

would prefer our reply to take a much

stronger line than that indicated in para.1

of Sir R. Craigie's telegram No.541; but

that if, on the other hand, Lord Halifax

considers that no advantage is to be gained

by such action at this stage. he (Secretary

of State) is prepared reluctantly to agree

that a reply should be returned on the lines

suggested by Sir R. Craigie.

14. Duncan.

18.5.38.

Walder

195-38

It is for the F.0. to decide on the nature of

the representations to be made to the Japanese

Government; and as their attitude in this case

governed by the same considerations as in the case

or attacks on British subjects of European race

I do not see that we c n usefully say more than

is proposed by Mr Gent.

#Qlowell

appears to be

14.