Tokyo, Dec. 18.
The Foreign Office today was awaiting information from Sanyo Maru Passed by Contraband Control German Goods on Board Bought Before Blockade London, Dec. 18.
The Japanese steamer Sanyo Maru—described as the "test case" ship for Japan's reactions to the Allied blockade of German exports—has been released from a contraband control base after a stay of 24 hours.
According to the Ministry of Economic Warfare assurances had previously been given by the Japanese Government that all goods of German origin on board had been paid for before November 27, the date on which action against German exports carried in neutral ships came into force.
Therefore, the statement adds, it was only necessary when the Sanyo Maru arrived at the contraband control base in the Downs to verify that her cargo did not include any other goods of German origin not covered by Japanese guarantees.
The case of the Sanyo Maru has been watched with interest in many quarters as she was the first Japane: vessel affected by ies' decision to seize German exports in neutral ships. Hints were given in Tokyo that retaliation would be considered if exports were seized from Japanese vessels—Reuter.
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