CO129-585-5 Sino-Japanese conflict- shipping on Pearl River 3-1-1940 - 25-8-1940 — Page 141

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Dovernor of Hongkong (158 to Eɛbassy), indicating

that this was to be the basis of the re-opening of the

river end stating that sub-clauses 8(d) and 5(f) were

to remain unchanged. br. Kataudairs slco indicated that

the reopening of the river would take place on or before

March 10th, and arranged to uiscuss the matter with ar.

ittle this korning.

As the Japanese proposals appeared to fall far

short of what might reseɔnably be understood by the

re-opening of the river, i thought it decir,ble to forestell

fait accompli by a clear statement of what I regarded as

essential in this connexion. I nocoriingly addressed the

enclosed letter to Ly Japanese colleague: I passed a copy

of thie confiuentially to Hr. Little, who is, with ny

periasion, sending a copy of it to the Inspector-General

of Custorie.

Mr. Little's interview with Er. Røteuäsire took

place this morning and, as reported in my telegram FO.

45 of today's date, the proposals then put forward by the

Japanese were distinctly core liberal. The proposal to

place hampe a under Custons control was a particularly

marked advance, as the Japanese had previously expressly

excluded this (Please ses paragraph 8 of my telegram no. 214

of December 30th leat.

?

ko definite date has yet been fixed for putting

any of the re-opening measures into effect. Er. Katsudaira,

who is to laure at the end of this month on transfer

stat Nenking, emplussized however, that a short must be made

before his departure. The Commissioner of Customs pointed

out that he would require additional staff for hampon,

and asked for an indiastion when they would be needed.

Er. Pataudeirs said that, as shampon is under militery

control, there would be many details to arrang so that

it would be one or two months before the nuatose coulá

Junction/