CO129-579-2 Sino-Japanese War- attack on British ship S.S. Sagres 9-4-1939 - 13-7-1939 — Page 16

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.]

lagues

16

47,

From CHINA.

Decypher.

Sir A. Clark-Kerr (Shanghai).

6th June, 1939.

D.

W/T.

7th June, 1939.

R. 9.41 p.m.

7th June, 1939.

No. 513.

*******

44. Tokyo No. 448 to you.

I have discussed this question with the Commander in Chief

and His Majesty's Consul General.

(2) At present only 9 British vessels are known by

Consulate General here to be chartered to Chinese (8 of these

are mollers). Most of South China charters are probably effected

however in Hongkong. Bulk of business appears to be handled by

Smaller and less reputable firms who are out for quick profits

and would be adverse to listen to advise from British authorities.

It seems the most that could be done, casually to issue warning

that ships on charter to Chinese cannot expect protection if they

get into trouble. But this might strike at fundamental principles

regarding the use of the British flag and in any case would probably be interpreted as a sign of weakness, which is im-

portant to avoid at the present juncture.

Addressed to Foreign Office, repeated to Tokyo saving

telegram No. 153, Commander-in-Chief No. 105, Governor Hongkong

Saving telegram No. 3.