CO129-579-5 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese aircraft- Hong Kong air space and other activities 31-1-1939 - 5-8-1939 — Page 41

(2.50)

NO DISTRIBUTION.

Decypher.

Sir R. Craigie, (Tokyo).

7th June, 1939.

D.

7.10 p.m.

7th June, 1939.

R.

6.50 p.m.

7th June, 1939.

No. 526.

41

I:0:0:0:0:I

(·)

(sli

Hongkong telegrams Nos. 167 and 168 to Secretary of State

for Colonies.

I consider Japanese Consul General's threat should not be

left unanswered and would propose to give Japanese Government

friendly warning in the sense of Hongkong telegram No. 67

adding that any combatant aircraft violating Hongkong neutrality

is liable to be received with anti-aircraft fire and that in

that event His Majesty's Government will take no responsibility

for the consequences.

In my view it is useless to refer to [gp. omtd.]s of

international law with Japanese in their present frame of mind

but a reference to the fact that Holland during the Great War

shot continuously at any British and German aircraft in defence

of their neutrality would carry weight.

Do you approve?

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 526 of June 7th;

repeated to Hongkong telegram No. 112. Shanghai telegram No.79

Saving.