CO129-579-3 Sino-Japanese War- shipping 30-10-1938 - 23-12-1939 — Page 56

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DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & CO.,

General Managers

Hong Kong & Amoy.

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED,

P. & 0. BUILDING,

5th floor,

Hong Kong, 11th August, 1939.

Honourable Mr. R. A. C. North,

sir,

Colonial Secretary,

Hong Kong.

We have the honour to address you regarding the

recent mishap to our s.s. "HAITAN" through striking a Japanese mine near Shacheng, Latitude 27.08% Longtitude

120.27 at 1926 hours on July 25th, 1939.

Serious damage has been done to the ship, the

cost of repairing which will amount to approximately £4,000.

Our legal advisers inform us that according to

International Law the action of the Japanese in laying

mines within the Territorial Waters of China is illegal,

and contrary to International Law. At the time when the

ship struck the mine she was definitely within the

Territorial Waters of China.

We would request that the strongest possible

representation be made to the Japanese Authorities, requesting them to remove the mines which have been laid

on the China Coast which constitute a serious menace to

all shipping and to our legitimate trades. The present

position is that as a result of these mines being laid,

it is almost impossible for us to carry on our trade on

the China Coast. This is a very serious position and we

feel that some energetic action should be taken to protect

British Shipping, British Insurance interests and the

welfare of British Employees.

We may add in conclusion that we are making a

claim on the Japanese Government for the damage done in

this case.

We have, etc.

(SD.) DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & CO.,

General Managers

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY LTD.