CO129-585-2 Sino-Japanese conflict- release of captured British ships 6-3-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 37

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Allotted co E & O.Department.

Copies Circulated.

DECYPHER

From

Dated

SECRET

1.6. 37 1551

1943410.

OF TELEGRAM.

Government of India, Commerce Department, to

Secretary of State for India.

New Delhi, 21.15 hrs. 2nd April, 1940.

Received

18.45 hrs. 2nd April, 1940.

IMPORTANT,

---

XXX

974. Commerce Department.

Your telegram No.1174

dated 11th March. Release of steamer Lalta. Japanese offer

was communicated to Dholera Steamship Company without comment

as suggested by you and they have replied as follows: Begins.

Japanese Government bound to pay compensation for wrongful seizure.

However we are prepared to accept Japanese Government's offer

provided that Japanese Government not only release Lalta but

also our steamer Dholera captured by Japanese Government.

Delivery Singapore before April 30th in the same condition in

which they were at the time of capture.

Steamers to be

delivered to Seth Shoorji Vallabhdass, Chairman of New

Dholera Steamships Limited or his duly constituted agent in

writing. We rely on you to help us.

Ends,