CO129-585-4 Sino-Japanese conflict- Japanese air raids on China 26-1-1940 - 5-7-1940 — Page 18

No.38(86/1676/1938).

2/0:TMK

sir,

Copy.

18

Government House,

Hong Kong,14th May, 1940.

Fith reference to my letter 0.29 of 19th April,

1940, I have the honour to forward for your information the

accompanying copy of a further police report regarding a

bombing raid by Japanese aeroplanes on Sha--Chung on 2nd

ay, 1940. Notwithstanding statements by Chinese eye

witnesses to that effect it is not certain that there was

any infringement of British waters on this occasion.

2.

Sha--Chung is the terminus of a road into China

along which a large trade, both import and export has developed owing to the blockade of the neighbouring Chinese ports by the Japanese. It is an undefended village and the

sole reason for its bombardment must have been to hamper or

prevent that trade by intimidation, a practice not recognized

as legitimate warfare by international law. You will, no doubt, consider the advisability of representing this point

to the Japanese overnment.

3. A repercussion on this Government of such attacks is that responsibility for the care of the wounded devolves upon the Colonial administration in the absence of any appropriate

organization in Chinese territory nearby Sha--Chung.

4.

Copies of this letter are being sent to His Majesty's Ambassador, Shanghai, His Majesty's Diplomatic Mission, Chungking, the Commodore, Hong Kong and the secretary of State

for the Colonies.

I have the honour to be,

Sir.

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

His Britannic ajesty's mbassador,

1

TOKYO.

G. A. S. NORTHCOTE

Governor.