CO129-585-2 Sino-Japanese conflict- release of captured British ships 6-3-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 34

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A

a period of six hours for the discharge of the cargo.

further lighter was immediately procured but after the

lapse of some two hours when approximately 1,000 cases

had been unloaded into the lighters, a Japanese motor boat

appeared accompanied by two other armed motor boats with

some soldiers on board. They insisted on the cargo being

returned to the ship which was, in due course, done, The

ship remained at anchor until about 10 p.m. that day when

she steamed off accompanied by the motor boats. At the

time of the seizure the ship was flying the British Flag

and her papers were in order.

3.

The reason for this action by the Japanese author-

ities is not known and I am at a loss to understand it in

any circumstances. It has long been established that

Japanese Naval Authorities may only board British vessels

in order to ascertain their national character, and then

only when no British man-of-war is in the neighbourhood.

Upon ascertaining that the ship's papers are in order

(of which I understand there was no doubt in this case),

the vessel shall be permitted to proceed on her voyage with-

out further interference. Even assuming that there was any

reason to suspect or detain the vessel in question, im-

mediate steps should have been taken to intimate the seizure

to the British authorities in accordance with flag veri-

fication procedure, and there seems to be no explanation

of the ship's having been hidden away at "hampoa without

any notification to the authorities concerned – more

especially as both shi, and cargo have now been detained

nearly one month.

The favour of an early reply, and of action as

desired in paragraph 1 of this despatch, is requested.

(Signed)

I have, etc.,

A.P. Blunt

Consul-General.