CO129-570-8 Sino-Japanese War- sinking of Chinese fishing boats by Japanese vessel 31-1-1938 - 22-12-1938 — Page 39

NO DISTRIBUTION.

139

Decode. Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo).

D.

1.57 p.

R. 9.30 a.m.

No. 1125 (R),

24th September, 1938.

24th September, 1938.

24th September, 1938.

Following is text referred to in my immediately preceding telegram. Japanese reply of September 19th maintains Japanese

points and states whereas British case rests on ex parte state-

ments of uneducated fishermon, Japanese case rests on report of a responsible Japanese Naval Authority on the spot. Chinese junks have on several occasions attacked Japanese craft with

guns or rifles,

Japanese Government maintain refusal to consider question of responsibility of Japanese Naval Commander. It is regretted however that British subjects have suffered loss and Japanese

Government are prepared to offer ex gratia payment to those wrecked fishermen in respect of whom documents are presented establishing

British Nationality and showing that they did not take part in

aggressive action.

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 1125 of September 24th repeated to Shanghai telegram No. 889, Governor of Hong Kong

telegram No. 160.