Telegram (en clair) from Mr. Blunt (Canton).
D.
29th December, 1938.
R.
10th January, 1939.
No. 6. (Saving).
125
NO DISTRIBUTION.
(2)
Addressed to Governor, Hongkong, No. 8 Saving of December 29th. My telegram Fo. 241.
There are indications that the Japanese attitude locally has improved, perhaps as a result of the visit of Vice Admiral Kondo who incidentally, I understand, intends to revisit Canton from about January 15th to January 29th. I had purposely escorted Vice Admiral Kondo on a visit which he paid to Shame en by previous engagement, but his engagements prevented any conversation with
him on movements of ships.
3.
2. These indications are that yesterday the Japanese Consul- General telephoned to ask me to send him a written request regarding the sailing of the s.s. "Suitai". (This I did. He has told me that there has not yet been time for consultation and decision).
This morning he called on me in order to explain the Japanese point of view regarding various matters (see paragraph 6
He confirmed the statements of my telegram under reference). at.tributed to him in my telegram under reference regarding transport but was much more reasonable regarding prospects of a ratio of 2
to 1.
I gathered that the grievance of the Japanese authorities against Hongkong has been that in their opinion their transports have a right to come and go at will since neither party in the present conflict has declared war. They have merely made a request in order to avoid forcing an issue, and they have considered therefore the attitude of Hongkong as unreasonable and obstructive.
There
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