Decode.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo).
30th January, 1938.
D.
4.40 p.m.
30th January, 1938.
R. 10.00 a.m.
30th January, 1938.
No. 124. (R).
NO DISTRIBUTION.
78
Your telegram No. 80 (sinking of junks).
Following is translation of memorandum from Minister for
Foreign Affaires dated January 29th begins:-
Confidential.
Imperial Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are in receipt of His Britannic Majesty's Embassy's memorandum of January 13th
regarding case of sinking of Chinese fishing vessels by Imperial Navy but according to report received by Naval authorities from the Commanding officer on the spot facts of the case were as follows:
"Un September 22nd Japanese patrol vessel which was patrolling
to the coast south of China to enforce blockade of China coast
sighted a number of Chinese junks to the south of Cheleng Point. When she approached them for purposes of inspection the junks opened
fire with rifles. She replied first with blank shells as warning
and then fired live shells into the sea near by. As resistence
continued she was finally obliged to fire at the junks and sank a
number of them".
As this report differs from that contained in His Britannic Majesty's memorandum, the Imperial Government have the honour to state in reply, that they will carry out further thorough investiga-
tion using for the purpose of reference findings of Commission of
enquiry appointed by the Governor of Hongkong. If, as result of this investigation, the Japanese Navy's report is found to be incorie and if His Majesty's Government are able to produce concrete evidence that, as stated in His Majesty's Embassy's memorandum there were junks belonging to British subjects amongst those sunk and that there were British Subjects amongst those killed, then the Imperial Government will be prepared to consider again the question of payment of compensation for these losses. Ends.
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 124 January 30th;
Hongkong.
at
repeated to
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