CO129-570-8 Sino-Japanese War- sinking of Chinese fishing boats by Japanese vessel 31-1-1938 - 22-12-1938 — Page 9

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and ask for disciplinary action against the

commander of the vessel concerned. I suggest that

as a matter of broad policy, as well as on the merits

of the case that our position and "prestige" would

be better maintained by such a line than by weakly

accepting the Japanese reply.

On the question of publication the Foreign

Office state that they propose that this should be

deferred for the moment as there is still some, very

slight, chance of obtaining assurances from the

Japanese Government in connexion with their naval

construction intentions, and this chance might be

prejudiced by publication of the report. I think

that in view of this we canonly agree that

publication should be deferred until the naval

discussions have come to a conclusion.

? Reply that in view of the considerations

set out in paragraph 2 of (11) the Secretary of State

agrees that the publication of the report should be

deferred until the naval discussions have been brought

to a conclusion.

Say that with reference to paragraph 3

of the Foreign Office letter the Secretary of State

finds it quite impossible to accept the Japanese

contentions. Add as at A above and say that the case

for regarding this as more than a purely Sino-Japanese

affair does not appear to be weakened in any way. In

the circumstances therefore the Secretary of State

would suggest as at B above.

Add that as they are aware the Governor

See (7)

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