CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 194

(GT)

COPY.

CLEAR.

From: B.E. Tokyo

Governor, Hong Kong (42)

To:

Rept'd

to:

London (10) Saving

}

194

Commander-in-Chief (125)

(Hong Kong please pass to Commander-in-Chief

and London) (Passed)

Dated:

22nd February, 1940

Rec'd: 22nd February, 1940.

My 37.

Minister for Foreign Affairs has no w

sent memorandum stating my representations January 30th were at variance with actual facts for (a)

search took place at 50 degrees 14 or fifteen nautical miles from Waglan lighthouse and Hong Kong territorial waters were not entered (b)

Kwonghing did not fly British flag nor was flag painted on her side covered (c) no member of crew

was wounded (d) master consented to search (e)

in view of doubts vessel's nationality and language difficulty (whole crew being Chinese) she was taken

to Samun Roads of her own accord.

Memorandum adds that such inspections are

unavoidable in course of large scale military

operations in China and are in no way designed to

obstruct shipping or individuals in their peaceful

avocations.

CRAIGIE.