CO129-580-1 Sino-Japanese War- handing over of suspected terrorists to Japanese authorities 1-5-1939 - 24-8-1939 — Page 91

راد

Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned

to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]

91

From CHINA.

Decypher.

Sir A. Clark-Kerr (Shanghai).

12th June, 1939.

D.

1.23 p.m.,

12th June, 1939.

R.

9.30 a.m., 12th June, 1939.

No. 530.

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IMMEDIATE.

Tientsin No. 214 to you.

In paragraph 7 Consul-General suggests we are not on a good wicket, but I feel that Japanese Government could not reasonably refuse the proposal put forward in my telegram No. 527 which in my opinion offers a solution fair to both sides. I hope therefore that it may be put to them in

Tokyo at once.

2. It is clear from Consul-General's telegrams that feeling amongst the British in the Concession is running high and I urge therefore that His Majesty's Government would be in a better position to reply to criticism from that quarter if my proposal had been put forward. In any case it would indubitably put us on a good wicket.

If Japanese reject it we shall be obliged to decide whether to yield these men up or to see the thing through. Your Lordship is in possession of all facts of the case and of Consul-General's views both as to the probable effects of the latter course, and as to our position vis-à-vis the Japanese. You are also aware of the reluctance I feel to handing the men over, reluctance which you share.

4.

But I feel strongly that in the event of Japanese putting their threat into effect we must be prepared to take immediate retaliatory action.

Addressed to Foreign Office; repeated to Tokyo No. 334, Tientsin No. 167 and Commander-in-Chief No. 211.