CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 327

Copy.

No. 85(23/72 D (1)/39)

Enclosure 2.

British Embassy,

Tokyo.

19th December, 1939.

326

Your Excellency,

With reference to Your Excellency's despatches

Nos. 80, 81, 82, and 87 (K/S:EB) of 21st and 25th October

last, and 6th Nove...ber, I have the honour to transmit herewith

a copy of a Note which I have addressed to the Japanese Minister

for Foreign Affairs, regarding the recent attacks by

Japanese Naval forces on fishing and trading junks

registered in Hong Kong.

2.

For political reasons I have felt it inexpedient

in present circumstances to make strong representations

on the subject. I am convinced that the only real means

of stopping these attacks is by securing a substantial improvement in Anglo-Japanese relations. Now, for the

first time in months, there is a real prospect of such

an improvement, and I consider that a sharp protest on the

present subject might, if delivered at such a time, have an opposite eff ct to that intended.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

R. Craigie.

His Excellency

Sir Geoffry S. Northcote, K.C.M.G.

Governor and Commander-in-Chief,

Government House,

Victoria,

Hong Kong.