CO129-579-12 Sino-Japanese War- bombing of railway line within leased territories (Shamchun Incident) 21-2-1939 - 17-3-1939 — Page 34

Copy Ronald

Anad

Hong Kong.

Lil

3 hofpic

Government House,

March 8th, 1939.

My dean Cowell,

I hope that the Powers That Be approve of

the settlement which we made with the Japanese Military

Authorities for the Shum Chun bombing. Locally, I know,

the Chinese tend to think that we let the Japanese down

too easily, and I have heard somewhat similar views

expressed by Europeans.

was to exact the just amount without anything for moral

damage or in the way of punishment. That seemed to me

the only dignified course: I am sure that if we had

asked for one hundred thousand dollars the Japanese

would have paid without demur, so anxious were they to

settle the matter on our terms: but I did not think it

The principle on which we acted

consistent with British prestige to open ourselves to

an accusation of 'tizzy-snatching' in a matter such as

this: moreover, I felt convinced that a strictly

moderate demand for compensation would impress the

Japanese more, and in the better way, than would have

one for heavy damages.

H. R. Cowell, Esq., C.M.G.,

Colonial office,

LONDON, S.W.1.