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109
From JAPAN.
Decode.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo),
14th January, 1939.
D.
8.25 p.m. 14th January, 1939.
R.
1.30 p.m.
14th January, 1939.
No. 50.
(R).
-63838/54/69- (22).
My telegram No. 42.
In the course of interview today I mentioned to Minister
for Foreign Affairs that I had heard that serious consideration was now being given in Japanese official circles to the question of reopening of the Yangtse and, in order to strengthen his hands,
I desired to communicate to him further memorandum bringing up
to date evidence I had communicated to him on November 24th of
Japanese trading on the Yangtse. My memorandum also dealt with
the question of mines and other risks to navigation and showed
that in the opinion of Rear-Admiral of the Yangtse and other
officers who had recently made the voyage, the river was safe for
navigation at all events from wuhu to the sea. I added a few
general arguments designed to show that early restoration of
normal conditions in Yangtse area was in Japan's own interest.
Excellency said he understood low water would not permit of naviga-
tion at present time, but I said that this was definitely not the
case below Wuhu. Water was now rising and within three weeks or
so navigation would again become possible for large vessels even
above uhu.
Copy of memorandum goes to you and Shanghai by air mail.
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 50, January 14th, repeated
to Shanghai No. 40.
His
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