CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 52

F.10580/870/23.

Sir,

S.W.1.

3rd October, 1939.

52

With reference to Admiralty letter No.M.010623/39

of the 29th September, I am directed by Viscount Halifax

to enclose a copy of a telegram instructing Sir Robert

Craigie to protest to the Japanese Government, on the

lines suggested by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,

against the searching of British merchant vessels by the

Japanese Customs Authorities.

2.

Lord Halifax notes from the third paragraph of

your letter that Their Lordships are once more giving

consideration to the question of subjecting Japanese

shipping to some form of counter-pressure. As to the

expediency of doing this at the present time Lord Halifax

prefers to suspend judgment until he is informed of the

views of the other interested departments.

The Secretary,

of the Admiralty.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sd.) R. G. HOWE,