CO129-575-15 Traffic of arms to China 24-1-1939 - 4-12-1939 — Page 224

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

Copy.

22/

5%-

A

From Japan.

Decypher.

Sir R. Craigie

(Tokyo)

26th April, 1939.

D.

1.14 p.m.

R.

9.00 a.m.

26th April, 1939.

26th April,1939.

No.362.

Commander-in-Chiefs's telegram to Admiralty.

IMMEDIATE.

You will have seen from last paragraph of my telegram

No.353 action which I have taken in regard to Sagres.

Report of the master shows Japanese action to have been

inexcusably high-handed and I should like to press matter

with Minister for Foreign Affairs by giving him its substance.

I am however reluctant to act further until I receive your

instructions.

The only sure way of securing return of ship and

future abstention from seizure would be to address strong note,

followed by some promised retailiation (e.g. detention of a

Japanese ship) if we do not receive satisfaction within a

reasonable period. As however I understand His Majesty's

Government are not prepared to contemplate retaliation at

present I think preferable course would be to do what we can

here by oral representations to Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and Ministry of Marine, leaving formal note or protest to a

later stage.

I presume right of British ships to carry salt

belonging to Chinese Government is not open to question.

regards last paragraph I understand these Chinese officers

were carried by another ship of the same Company. However

As

correct

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