CO129-580-3 Sino-Japanese War- anti-Japanese activities in Hong Kong 23-8-1939 - 30-12-1939 — Page 47

Copy

(F0470/176/23)

PERSONAL.

48

208, Clive Court,

London, W.9

21st September, 1939

My dear Butler,

Shigemitsu asked me to go and see him yesterday evening

in connection with a telegram which he has received from Tokyo,

the tone of which has greatly pleased him.

He himself does not exactly know what it is all about,

but the gist is that it was an advanced cable from Tokyo to the

effect that in a few days Tokyo is instructing its Consul General

at Hong Kong to approach the Governor in a very friendly way in

connection with, as far as Shigemitsu can make out, some anti-

Jpaanese organisation in Hong Kong. The Consul General is being

told to make his approach in the most friendly way and to inform

the Governor that, if he can see his way to assist in the

suppression of whatever activities may be concerned, the Japanese

Government, on their side, would be glad to remove any cause for

complaint which the Hong Kong Authorities in their turn might

have to bring forward.

Shigemitsu is particularly pleased over the method of

approach to the whole subject, as he regards it as evidence of a

desire to adopt a deliberately co-operative policy.

He therefore asked me to pass on what has happened for

the information of yourself and Lord Halifax, and he is anxious

that the Hong Kong Government should be informed from this end

that, whatever the request may be, it is intended to be made

in the most friendly spirit, and that, in the event of its having

to be refused, the refusal should be couched in friendly terms.

I am enclosing herewith a memorandum about the Silver

and will post my comments on the "General Attitude" Question this

I expect to send the memorandum on the Trade Question

evening.

tomorrow.

Arthur Edwardes.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)