Repeated to External Affairs Officer, London [1], No. 187.

My No. 14. [2] Naval Board now advises that first report from
Administrator Nauru [3] of attack on island stated that raider had
Japanese name and marking. Subsequent report from Administrator in
reply to request for details qualified original statement as
follows: 'Raider did not (not) have Japanese markings or Japanese
flag painted on her sides. She flew Nazi man-of-war flag and
draped similar flags over each side amidships and bore name Nanyo
or Manyo Maru.'
Naval Board has corroborated evidence that German raider concerned
named Manyo Maru had Japanese flags painted on sides when
attacking shipping off Nauru 7th and 8th December and as late as
21st December. Presumably these markings were covered with draped
Nazi flags when shelling Nauru on 27th December.

It would appear from above that so far as shelling of Nauru is
concerned, there is no ground for approaching the Japanese
Government on lines suggested in your No. 20. [4] Circumstances of
attacks on shipping as related above, however, are a different
matter. Consider you should concert with British Ambassador [5] in
informing Japanese Government of facts as known to authorities
here and requesting them to protest against misuse of Japanese
colours in raider's attacks on British shipping on dates
specified. [6]

STEWART