CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 34

MESSAGE

SECRET

From:

C. in C. China.

IN

2

34

DATE:

17.6.39.

REC'D: 2241

Addressed:

Interdepartmental Cypher

H.M.Ambassador Shanghai 580, repeated Admiralty, H.M.Ambassador Tokyo 475, Commodore Hong Kong, Naval Liaison Officer, Consul Foochow, S.N.0. Foochow.

512. A scheme is being worked out by S.N.O. Sharp

Peak in consultation with Consul Foochow by which lighters

are being transferred locally to British ownership so that

British cargoes proceeding to British ships at Sharp Peak

will be carried by British owned lighters in tow of British

tugs. A similar transfer from Chinese to British ownership

took place in 1937 and subsequently back again to Chinese

ownership. As soon as Chinese allow transfer and reopen

river it is intended to supply local Japanese S.N.O. and

Japanese trawlers operating at Sharp Peak with a list of

British lighters who will only carry British cargo, always

moving in tow of British tugs and distinguished by house flags

of firm owning them, and carry a framed certificate of British

ownership issued by British Consul and a framed Customs

licence. Subject to your remarks on this proposal it is

then intended to inform Japanese that we expect them to

respect such craft in accordance with their declared policy

of non-interference with trade of third powers. The S.N.0.

Sharp Peak would be instructed to afford protection

accordingly.

1459/17

1st Lord

1st S.L.

•

•

2nd S.L 3rd S.L. 4th S.L 5th S.L. D.C.N.S. A.C.N.S. PARL.SEC.

Civil Lord Sec.

D.S.D.9

Naval Sec.

P.A.S.(S) O.D.(3)

D. of P.(3) D.N.I.(6) M.36 (1) D.L.D.D.

0.1.C.(4) D.T.D. (2)

Foreign Office )To be War Office

Air Ministry

R.C. (3)

sent by

M.Branch