CO129-589-1 Sino-Japanese War- shipping on Pearl River 26-1-1941 - 17-6-1941 — Page 6

6

of

difficulties over Butterfield and Swire who are, course, the owners of the "Fatshan". Mr. A.L. Scott told me on the telephone that John Swire and Sons Ltd. have replied to the Foreign Office letter at 24 expressing astonishment at the line taken with the Japanese and calling again for the use of "big stick" methods against them. If it is thought that we should meet the Japanese in their new proposals we may, therefore, have to consider requisitioning the "Fatshar or finding an alternative vessel. This is, however, a hurdle which need not be faced just at the moment.

WB3h)anson.

3.4.41.

DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE: 2421/78/10.

F.2563/18/10 — Sec

Sec.

1-4-41.

3070

2-4-41

It is

with efficall-

to follow,

1

I am note

cha

That

A is the inse

Arent. 3.4

My in

minute above was based in No 25 which

I took to mean (i) ther the Fatshun would

121 the "Shirogane"

probably sail for this month

(Jap.

haltung trumpent) would be allowed to call all Hong Kong pawing a chasin in the Japanese conster-

fuspussi's

up

No 29 may hold is proposals at (2). Sei C. Clarke Kerr in no doubt specting to Si S. Northcote clout

the whole question

in his forent

Patly

Na

mit Strugkus,

laut.

j-

4/4

ahm