Copy
No.379.
(F 1151/51/10).
Sir,
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
21st February, 1940.
With reference to my despatch No.299 of the 12th
February, M. Roché of the French Embassy called at this
department on the 12th February and stated that the French
Ambassador at Tokyo had had an interview with Mr.Tani,
the Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, whom he had
seen in place of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was
busy in the Diet. The purpose of the interview was to deliver
a protest regarding the bombing of a train on the railway
between Indo-China and Yunnanfu, when a large number of
civilian passengers were killed,
2.
Mr.Tani was apparently prepared for the protest,
since he had a written communication ready drafted, of which
he read out a rapid translation from which the Ambassador
gathered that the principal points which Mr. Tani wished to
make were as follows:-
(i) that the Japanese were determined to cut off the
Chinese Government from supplies along the Indo-China
railway.
(ii) that the train against the bombing of which the
French Ambassador was protesting was carrying not only
passengers but also certain goods capable of assisting the
Chinese Government in their war effort.
(iii) that the Japanese Government regretted the loss
of life and property involved and were ready in principle
to pay compensation.
3.
In reply, the French Ambassador said that he doubted
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Sir Ronald Campbell, K.C.M.G.,
etc., etc., etc.,
Paris.
the/
34
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.