CO129-579-7 Sino-Japanese War- shipping on Pearl River 4-1-1939 - 9-6-1939 — Page 33

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influence who were in a position to go round to the high

authorities locally such as Generals Ando and Tanaka, etc.,

or in Japan, and to persuade them that re-opening was the

but proper course, re-opening would take place instantly; at present the balance of opinion was opposed and he did

not know when other counsels would prevail.

3. Mr. Okazaki admitted that his earlier plea of

military necessity was not serious and could be got round.

In replying to my remarks, he was obliged to admit that

closure seemed to serve no useful purpose. I had pointed

out that, apart from a very few local foreign firms, foreign

firms in general were now doing from Hong Kong the same

amount of business as they had previously done ex Hong

Kong and Canton combined. Goods were coming in and going

out of China to and from Hong Konɛ by hundreds of routes. I suggested that on the contrary it might benefit Japanese

interests to be in a position to watch exports and imports

by re-opening the river and encouraging concentration

through this Canton funnel.

4.

to think".

I do not know whether my arguments have "given him

Nor do I know whether he was speaking the truth.

In either event, mention by His Majesty's Ambassador at

Tokyo should expedite matters.

(Intlld.) A.P.B.

8/3/39.