In connection with this matter, it must be remembered that both wharves and godowns, having before the Japanese naval occupation been the haunts of Chinese plain-clothes men, refugees and looters, and were also often subjected to Chinese shelling and bombing until the middle of last November, the Japanese naval authorities, having since their occupation checked the cargoes and taken custody of them until to-day, will not bear responsibility for any loss or damage of cargoes sustained prior to the inventory made after the occupation.
Moreover, in view of the damage suffered to the wharves and godowns from the causes mentioned. exposing cargoes in many instances to the destructive influences of the elements, the Japanese naval authorities furthermore wil not assume any responsibility for any loss or damage arising therefrom.
The Japanese naval authorities and the Committee will not assume any responsibility in connection with the identification of ownership of cargoes for which an application for removal is presented, as such identification must be determined by the Consulates of the countries of which the appli-cents are citizens.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.