CO129-571-1 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 10-1-1938 - 24-12-1938 — Page 148

[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.

3

178

FROM CHINA.

Decypher.

Mr. Howe (Shanghai).

4th January, 1938.

D. (BY W/T)

4th January, 1938.

R.

5.00 p.m.

4th January, 1938.

No.9.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shippering

Senior Naval Officer's telegram 21.50 hours January 3rd.

It

I have discussed the question with Senior Naval Officer and consider we should not accept Japanese claim to obstruct free passage of any of our merchant vessels on the river. may for practical reasons be necessary to adopt some form of control for the time being in the shape of convoy. I suggest that if and when British shipping companies wish to send vessels up river from Shanghai we should inform the Japanese naval authorities that they are proceeding and that we look to then to place no obstacles in the way. If they continue to make objections then representations at Tokyo will probably be necessary. In any case it might be advisable to bring attitude of local Japanese naval authorities to the notice of Japanese

Government.

Addressed to Foreign Office No.9, January 4th;

repeated to Commander-in-Chief, Tokyo [grp. undec.] Rear Admiral Yangtze, Senior Naval Officer Nanking copy to Senior Naval

Officer Shanghai and Consul General Shanghai.