CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 32

COPY.

SECRET.

MESSAGE.

53838/17 Chiping

attacho

Ι Ν

32

FROM: Naval Liaison Officer, Shanghai. Date: 2/7/39.

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CYPHER.

Recd. 2310.

Addressed: C. in C. China. Repeated: Admiralty, Cdre. Hong

Kong, H.M. Ambassador, Tokyo, Governor Hong Kong, H.M.Ambassador, Shanghai.

اراک

Your 1357 June 17th (not to H.M.Ambassador Shanghai).

At recent meeting with Vice-Admiral Nomura regarding reported

seizure of S.S.Dholera I asked him:-

2.

(i) if seizure was indeed a fact,

(ii) if so, the reason for illegal seizure,

(iii) why British Authorities have not immediately

been informed officially of occurrence, and

(iv) the whereabouts and state of crew.

His replies were as follows: to (i) above. Yes.

To (ii) above (a) vessel was smuggling Kerosene. (b) Navigating

Pearl River delta without navigation permit from Japanese

authorities. (c) Owner of cargo was Chinese. (d) No customs

Office located at her destination which was Man King Sha in

Pearl River. Approximate position 220 37' North 113° 30' East.

(e) No documents of any kind entitling entry to destination.

(f) No evidence that ship had paid duty to customs authorities.

To (iii) above. He stated that full particulars of the method

in such incidents was for Japanese Tokyo Naval Officer to inform

British Naval Attaché Tokyo, who would inform necessary British

Authorities. I stated this was the first time I had heard of

Admiral Nomura's Chief of the Staff said he had

this method.

informed me which I denied. Admiral stated that he would

enquire whether Tokyo informed Naval Attaché, Tokyo of the

seizure.