CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 109

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Translation of memorandum from Waichiaopu,

dated February 14th, 1939.

Copy to Embassy No.47 (3 copies) (with Chinese text)

Diplomatic Mission No.39.

The Waichiaopu have received the following letter

from the Ministry of Communications:-

"It is reported that six steamers of the Chinese

'Cheng Kee Company, "Shengli", "Maoli", "Anli", "Hsinli", "Yingli" and "Fengli", now anchored at Hong Kong, are planning to transfer themselves unauthorisedly to a foreign flag and to get under weigh and steal away from Hong Kong. No transfer of a Chinese steamer to a foreign flag

is allowed without the prior authorisation of this Ministry

moreover, three of the steamers, "Shengli", "Maoli" and

"Anli" are under Government requisition and the period has

not yet expired; they cannot therefore transfer their flag and leave Hong Kong on their own responsibility.

The China Merchants Steam Navigation Company has now taken proceedings in the Hong Kong Court against the

Cheng Kee Company, and the hearing is fixed for the 14th

instant. As however it will not be possible for the

necessary documentary evidence to arrive in time, the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company has requested an

adjournment for ten days, and this Ministry would also request that the British Embassy be asked to move the Hong

Kong authorities to prevent the six steamers of the Cheng Kee

Company from leaving the port."

The British Embassy is accordingly requested speedily

to telegraph to the Hong Kong authorities to render assistance

and to prevent the six steamers of the Cheng Kee Company

from secretly getting under weigh and leaving the port

unauthorisedly. A reply is requested.

(Stamp of Waichiaopu).