CO129-580-1 Sino-Japanese War- handing over of suspected terrorists to Japanese authorities 1-5-1939 - 24-8-1939 — Page 100

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6. With regard to Your Lordship's suggestion that these

four men should now be expelled I must state most emphatically

that I could not be responsible for results if such a course were

pursued. Japanese authorities believe, justifiably in my

opinion, that we have already been guilty of a breach of faith

(see paragraphs 3 and 5 above). If we were now to expel these

men, action would be construed as even greater breach of faith

and the Japanese military authorities would feel themselves

justified in taking even more severe action than at present

contemplated.

7. With regard to suggestion that this issue may be settled

by retaliatory action, my personal opinion is that it would be a

pity to attempt to force Japanese when we are not, as I contend,

on a sound wicket see His Majesty's Ambassador Tokyo's many

remarks on this subject.

8. Your Lordship and His Majesty's Ambassador have been

under no delusion at any time during the course of the present

telegraphic correspondence as to what in the opinion of His

Majesty's Ambassador Tokyo and myself, would happen if Japanese

demands were not met. I have since pointed out to you that the

way is still open to alter directions given. Position therefore

is that unless altered instructions are given the innocent

British community of Tientsin will be faced with hardship, loss

and danger to life, which I venture to submit you will agree is a matter of concern for His jajesty's Government.

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 214; repeated to

Shanghai telegram Ho. 288 and Tokyo.

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