CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 197

197

MEMORANDUM.

BOARDING OF MERCHANT VESSELS WING SANG AND KWONG HING.

With reference to your representation in

connection with these matters on January 31st, I have

now received information regarding the circumstances of

these cases and I have the honour to reply as follows.

I take this opportunity to mention that while

Great Britain has encroached upon the peaceful trade of 3rd Powers during the current European War by proclaiming

war contraband and introducing the Order in Council relating

to the Seizure of German Exports, and has been responsible for

the ASAMA MARU Incident in a position far removed from the

area of hostilities, Japan is carrying out operations

under conditions of difficulty imposed by the respect shown

to the peaceful trade of 3rd Powers, in spite of the fact

that she is engaged in large-scale hostilities. I request

you will not lose sight of these circumstances.

1.

Boarding of WING SANG

With regard to the armed boarding party, the boat's

crew, who were under arms, went on board with the boarding

party as a precaution against possible resistance by the

Chinese. The fact that the boarding was carried out at

night was an additional reason for this precaution.

With regard to the failure to sign the log-book,

it is the custom of the Japanese Navy, in accordance with

international procedure, to sign the log-book if the master

of the ship does not object. It appears that in this in-

stance, owing to some mistake, this action was omitted.

This omission being contrary to the custom of

the Japanese Navy, I beg to inform you that proper steps

have been taken to prevent any recurrence.

It appears to be true that the boarding was

carried out in an unfriendly atmosphere but, according to