COMPLAINT BY THE JAPANESE CONSUL-GENERAL REGARDING THE FIRING OF A
SHELL AT THE 'KYO MARU NO. 2' ON HER ENTRY TO FREMANTLE HARBOUR
The Minister for External Affairs [1] stated that he had received
a communication from the Japanese Consul-General [2] lodging a
complaint regarding the action taken in firing a shot across the
bows of the 'Kyo Maru No. 2' on her entry recently to the
Fremantle harbour. The Minister for External Affairs recommended
that this matter be investigated by the Collector of Customs, and
the matter be left in his hands to take necessary action in regard
to the investigation of the incident. War Cabinet agreed to this
procedure. [3]
1 Sir Henry Gullett.
2 Masatoshi Akiyama. No record of this communication has been
found.
3 The External Affairs Dept Summary of Activities for the week
ending 15 March 1940 (on file AA: A981, E.A. Dept 191) noted that:
'Following upon Cabinet decision that a full investigation be made
by impartial authorities... and action taken to give effect to
such decision, a full report on the matter was received from the
Customs Authorities. A letter in reply to the Japanese Consul-
General was prepared for consideration by the Minister accompanied
by a short memorandum setting out the mom important points made in
the report. Letters to the Ministers for the Army and Navy were
also prepared for consideration by the Minister. (Action
incomplete).' No other documentation of this question has been
found.
