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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
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Mr. Blunt (Canton).
(4th February, 1938.
D.
Admiralty w/I.
4th February, 1938.
R.
4.10 p.m.
4th February, 1938.
No. 10. (R)
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Important.
Addressed to British Embassy, Shanghai No. 16.
River was close to shipping once more this morning.
Mayor called and notified me very confidentially yesterday morning at 9.30 and at 2.45 p.m. notified me by telephone that "Owing to a stress of local circumstances the military authorities advise foreign ships to leave Canton in the interest of their own safety". The military authorities made no mention of actual closing of river but vessels which sailed down this morning were stopped at barrier and have returned to Canton.
2. The Mayor told me that area round Bocca Tigris would be mined and a foreign source also reports that steps are being
taken to close the barrier.
The
3. Mayor astured me however that shipping would be allowed to resume under pilotage within two or three days. river was closed as a precautionary measure due to strong rumours of Japanese attack.
Repeated to Foreign Office No. 10, Governor Hongkong, Commander-in-Chief, General Officer Commanding Hongkong.
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