CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 116

No. 93(10/72D(1)/40)

NOTE VERBALE

116

His Majesty's Embassy present their

compliments to the Imperial Japanese Ministry of

Foreign Affairs and have the honour to refer to their

Note Verbale No. 33 of the 7th February, regarding

attacks on Hong Kong fishing vessels by armed

Japanese vessels.

2. It is now reported that during the night of

the 21st January 1940 a cargo boat of Hong Kong

registry, No. 425 Y, whilst sailing towards Hong Kong

and about half a mile off Yung Lang Wong was approached

by a Japanese motor boat, fired on, boarded and then

taken in tow. Shortly afterwards, in Deep Bay, a

Becond cargo boat of Hong Kong registry, No. 265 V,

was also met, fired on, boarded and taken in tow.

The motor boat went on to Chek Wan, where it arrived

at about 4 a.m. on the following day, January 22nd.

At about 8 a.m. on the same morning the steam launch

Kwai Hing passed, towing two cargo boats, 8253 V and

2312 V. The launch was hailed, fired on and forced

to stop. The cargo on board the two boats originally

seized and on the two sampans was then transferred

to the other two cargo boats which the steam launch

Kwai Hing had in tow, and the Japanese ordered the

crew of the launch to take the goods into Hong Kong,

sell them and hand over the money to them later on.

All vessels were then released by the Japanese.

3./