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Identic No. 13.

from Mr. Arita

21st June 1939.

175

Your Excellency,

The Imperial Army have commenced fresh

strategic operations against the coast of Kwang tung

Province in China today, the 21st of June. These

operations are purely military, their object being

to deal a further blow to the Chiang régime by

sweeping away the enemy troops belonging to that

régime.

Although the Imperial army will devote

their best efforts to preventing injury to the

rights and interests of third countries in the

present operations, they desire that the British

Government and British authorities in China will

use special care to avoid causing unforeseen

occurrences, by fully understanding the intentions

of the Imperial Government and cooperating with the

efforts of the Imperial Army to prevent altogether

or to minimise accidental damage to British rights

and interests. They also request that the fullest

precautions may be taken to thwart manoeuvres on

the part of the Chiang régime to embroil third

countries in the war.

I would specially add that, with regard to

the practical desires of the Imperial Government for

the prevention of the occurrence of incidents, the

various points submitted in Foreign Minister [Prince] Konoye's Note Identic No. 37 of the 12th October

13 11716/10717/10-

1938

last should be recalled.

I avail, etc.

HACHIRO

ARITA

Minister for Foreign Affairs.

His Excellency,

Sir Robert Craigie, K.C.M.G., C.B.,

H.B.M. Ambassador.

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