CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 45

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2.

powers, while conforming with the Japanese wishes.

Japanese action is a flagrant violation of our treaty

rights, but I fear it must be regarded as part of their

campaign, to prevent any traffic with unoccupied areas

through the coastal ports. Fact that British shipping

will be involved is not likely to deter them in the

slightest degree. There is also the other side of the picture, namely utilisation of customs for enforcing

measures of a purely military nature.

We have always tried to hold out against any demands for shipping permits other than those provided for by treaty anü if we give in now, there is no saying what we shall next be asked to do. If the Japanese carry out their

intentions we shall be faced with the alternative either of letting shipping companies comply with these restrictions or of allowing ships to proceed without customs clearance (i.e. give them Consular clearance). Apart from the political objections the latter course may land vessels concerned in difficulties not only with the Japanese

authorities but possibly also with the customs.

I therefore hope that strong representations will be made in Tokyo against any such unwarranted interference with the trading rights of British shipping and particularly against the use of customs to enforce such measures.

Addressed to Foreign Office; repeated to Tokyo No.306,

Commander-in-Chief No. 177.