20
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.
110
FROM CHINA.
Decode.
Mr. Howe (Shanghai).
20th February, 1938.
D.
(BY W/T)
20th February, 1938.
R.
5.50 p.m.
20th February, 1938.
No.349. (R).
XXXXXXXXXXX
Your telegram No.160.
Japanese
There is no change in situation on the river. naval authorities have been approached in regard to (a) desire of Asiatic Petroleum Company to send a representative to Chinkiang to inspect installation and pay Chinese staff (b) desire of Butterfield and Swire that their s.s. Wantung on return voyage from Nanking to Shanghai should call at Kowan to embark distressed cargo and personal property from hulk. Military authorities were also approached regarding desire of Pratt (Drysdale and Company) to visit Nanking to inspect damage to his stock by looting. All these applications
have been refused.
For latest reports on conditions in Nanking see Nanking
telegram No.54 to me.
Taking all factors into consideration and after con- sultation with Consul-General and Senior Naval Officer I am still of opinion the time has not yet arrived to press question of reopening of navigation above Kiangyin. Military operations are still taking place throughout most of this part of the Yangtse basin and Japanese authorities will not in my opinion change their attitude until military situation
has been cleared up.
Addressed to Foreign Office No.349, repeated to Tokyo
and Nanking.
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