CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 49

SECRET

T.05201

5th October, 1939.

49

sir,

In reply to Admiralty letter (M.010623/39) dated

29th September on the subject of excessive searches of

British ships in Japanese ports and the suggestion that

retaliatory measures might be taken in regard to

Japanese ships in British ports, I am directed by the

Board of Trade to state that particulars about the

movements of Japanese ships are kept by the Director of

Naval Intelligence Department, Admiralty, and not by

the Shipping Intelligence Section of the Board of Trade,

under arrangements made pre-war. In the Board's view

retaliation in regard to Japanese ships in home waters

would not be very effective since it is known that

practically no Japanese ships have been in United Kingdom

ports since the outbreak of war. Director of Naval

Intelligence Department could say to what extent Japanese

ships have been using the ports of the Dominions, Colonies

The Secretary,

Admiralty

S.W.1.

/etc.