CO129-585-2 Sino-Japanese conflict- release of captured British ships 6-3-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 31

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(F_2330/173/10)

On 2nd June 1939 the 8.3. "Dholera", a "steam juni"

of 105 tons gross, owned by the New Dholera Steamship Company but under charter to the Wah Hing shipping Company

of Hong Kong, was seized by the Japanese Navy off Keiou in the Canton delta and taken to Sanchow near Whampoa on

the Pearl River. The "Dholera" is registered at Hong Kong

At the time of the seizure she as a British-owned vessel.

was carrying a cargo of kerosene.

Representations pressing for the release of the ship were made by H.M. Consul-General at Canton and by the Naval Liaison Officer at Shanghai, but without effect. The Japanese alleged that she was engaged in smuggling but offered to release her if the British authorities would tacitly agree not to object to the Japanese Navy taking steps to prevent smuggling in South China waters in future. The Board of Trade and Admiralty were consulted and agreed that this proposal was unacceptable, and the Japanese

authorities were informed accordingly.

The "Dholera" is still under detention.

(Signed) A.L. Scott.

6th April, 1940.

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