CO129-585-9 Sino-Japanese conflict- Chinese custom stations 14-7-1940 - 17-12-1940 — Page 14

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From N.0.1/c Hong Kong

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الله موجه

Addressed C.in C. China, Repeated Admiralty.

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IMPORTANT. Reference 0416/18 from Admiralty. In view of the fact that these vessels are owned by the Chinese Government it is considered essential that method of their requisition should be settled through British Ambassador- Chungking before any local action is taken. any part taken by local customs officials or their acqueseanee in requisition and negotiations for hire might compromise status of this Quasi-International service elsewhere in occupied China.

Consider

It is understood when Japanese seized customs vessels at Shanghai at commencement of hostilities the fact that they were part of a Quasi-International service was used as an arguement to induce Japanese to return these vessels.

Also essential that full text of announcement to Press should be available for issue concurrent with the acquisition and that British Ambassador Tokyo be informed in advance of date fixed for act.

Mr Pritchard informs me Japanese reaction may be considerable. Press statement must therefore conform to line of defence of our action which would be adopted towards Japanese protest.

Acting Governor concurs.

No action is being taken pending further instructions.

01312/21/12/40

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* Requisition fcertain

vervels at Hong Kong.

T.W. Farrell Ban

M