CO129-575-15 Traffic of arms to China 24-1-1939 - 4-12-1939 — Page 225

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correct such action may have been under International Law

feel that action was ill advised in the particular circum-

stances of the moment.

On enquiry at Ministry of Marine yesterday Naval

Attaché was informed that grounds for detention were as

follows:

(1) Conveyance of Chinese Government salt from one

Chinese port to another.

(2)

soldiers.

Allegation that salt had been loaded by Chinese

I

(3) Some members of the crew were not mentioned on the

crews list.

(4) Japanese authorities suspect that ship was under

charter to Chinese Government.

Addressed to Foreign Office No.362. Repeated to

Shanghai No.281, Hong Kong for Commander-in-Chief No.56.