COPY FOR REGISTRATION
CYPHER TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Dated 4th January, 1939.
4
135
Received 10.55 a.m., 4th January,
Сари
B.T.
to F.O
антр
IMMEDIATE, No. 6.
Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
telegram No.6 of the 4th January repeated to Shanghai telegram
No.2 Toyko telegram No.1 Canton telegram No.1.
(2)
Canton telegram No.1 to me, repeated to Foreign Office as
telegram No.170.
In view of the Japanese attitude Commander in Chief and I agree
that it is desirable that policy regarding passenger vessels
between Hong Kong and Canton should be further examined and
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inspected. Main considerations are as follows:
10
Deadlock as regards eventual moves of British shipping must
be avoided. 2. No steps should be taken likely to cause Japanese
to attempt to place embargo on movement of British gunboats which
would call for resistance with result of risk of grave incident.
Importance of finally opening trade(including coasting trade)
as soon as possible, in accordance with treaty rights,
Japanese have now asked for occasional visits to Hong Kong by
vessels under the Japanese Government Charter flying the merchant
ensign and transport pendant but conforming to Merchant Vessel
Clearance Regulations. These vessels would not be carrying troops
or military stores and term transport would not be applicable to
them.
On further consideration we agree with the Consul General
Canton that it is undesirable to press for pro rata system of sail-
ings as these might prove embarrassing later.
recommend as first steps:
As
Bo
Accordingly we
only
To allow Japanese Charter vessela as temporary measure
to run say one per week each way without any semblance of
bargaining.
After two such vists to demand from the Japanese authorities
at Canton that Admiral Shizawa's promise regarding river steamship be implemented (see Commander in Chicf's telegram to the Admiralty No.725).
I should be grateful for early reply.
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