CO129-579-12 Sino-Japanese War- bombing of railway line within leased territories (Shamchun Incident) 21-2-1939 - 17-3-1939 — Page 75

[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.

75

From

JAPAN.

Decypher.

Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo),

23rd February, 1939.

D.

12.10 p.m. 23rd February, 1939.

R.

5.45 p.m.

22nd February, 1939.

No. 171.

IMMEDIATE.

Canton telegram No. 41 to Governor Hongkong.

Although seriousness of incident would warrant apology from

Japanese Goverment through diplomatic channels I venture to

express the hope that His Majesty's Government will see their way

to accept the settlement now proposed by Japanese army on

following grounds.

(1) The peculiar relations existing between the Government at

Tokyo and army in China.

(2) Adequacy of reparations offered spontaneously by

Japanese army.

(3) The fact that any undue loss of face by Japanese Government

over this incident would in the peculiar circumstances of today

be conducive to further incidents rather than the reverse.

I anticipate that at tomorrow morning's interview Minister

for Foreign Affairs will propose settlement on these lines.

Addressed to Foreign Office No. 171, repeated to Shanghai

No. 144, Governor Hongkong No. 22 and Canton No. 9.