CO129-571-1 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 10-1-1938 - 24-12-1938 — Page 109

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned

to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]

Sept

From JAPAN.

Decode.

Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo).

19th February, 1938.

D.

1.40 a.m.

19th February, 1938.

R.

7.30 p.m.

19th February, 1938.

No.229. (R).

XXXX

XXXXX

109

Addressed to Commander-in-Chief telegram No.49.

There is a sudden and considerable increase in Japanese activities in stopping ships flying the British flag.

I should be glad of your opinion whether in these

recent cases Japanese have had "reasonable grounds" for doubting ships right to fly the British ensign and whether Japanese boarding officers have enquired into the nature of cargo or destination.

Repeated to Foreign Office.