CO129-585-3 Sino-Japanese conflict- shipping 17-1-1940 - 13-11-1940 — Page 11

In any further communication on this subject, please quote

No. F 4476/3212/10

and address

not to any person by name but to-

"The Under-Secretary of State,"

Foreign Office,

H

London, S.W.1.

Sir,

K

Foreign Office.

S.W.1.

7th October, 1940.

With reference to your letter No.53838/11/40 of the 23rd May last regarding an action against the Cheng Kee Shipping Company in the Supreme Court of Hong Kong, I am directed by Viscount Halifax to enclose a copy of a note from the Japanese Ambassador communicating a renewed request by his Government for the release of the company's vessels detained in the colony.

2. From the Ambassador's reference to the "Supreme Court of London" it would seem that the Japanese claimants have appealed from the decision of the Hong Kong Court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Lord Halifax would be grateful if an enquiry could be addressed to the Governor of Hong Kong for a statement on the present position of the case.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Jesterndale Bennell

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.