SHARP CONFLICT ON PANAY FINDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 7

SHARP CONFLICT ON PANAY FINDINGS.

JAPAN'S INQUIRY. U.S.A. Not Expected to Accept Decisions. DID GUNBOAT OPEN FIRE? United l'ress Association.—Copy right. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LOXIX»N". December 20. A Washington message states that it seems to be indicated that the 1 nil ed States will not readily accept the conflicting versions of the I'anav machine-gunning from Tokyo by the Foreign Office and from Shanghai by Major-General Harada. The forum- admits that Japanese troops tired on and hoarded the I'anav after bombing, but insists that it is uncertain whether the Pa nay lired first. The latter insists that tho I'anay cannonaded Japanese ashore and the Japanese did not machine-gun the Pa nay. " The Times" Tokyo correspondent Bay 9 that though withdrawing the denial that Japanese soldiers attacked and boarded the Panav, the Foreign Office spokesman said it was not established that they fired on the Panay-otfieers. No hint of this sinister aspect of the affair appears in the Japanese Press. The shocking fact that Japanese naval airnteii attacked a Japanese Army launch cannot be divulged and the public only knows that the American gunboat was accidentally* sunk and several British gunboats mistakenly fired upon in the heat of battle.

Vice-Admiral Mitsunami's recall is ■till unpublished. Rumours that six naval airmen were eourt-martialled cannot be confirmed. Tt is probable that some days wUI elapse before the British and American Notes are answered.

The .Tapaneee findings in the Panav inquiry were announced at a Press conference by Major-(!eneral Harada. They differed so widely from survivors' accounts that one newspaperman asked whether (ieneral Harada and the sur▼iwors were discussing the same incident.

Among numerous points the correspondents disputed were General Harada's denial that army boats fired on the Panay, and his assertion that the Panay was moving when she was bombed as ■orvivors reported she was anchored.

General Harada said the Panay's guns fired three times at a motor launch which was not hit, while survivors declare that the gunboat's guns remained •overed under canvas throughout.

ARM? STRUGGLE.

Japanese High Command at Loggerheads. DENIAL RECANTED. NEW YORK, December 20. A message from Tokyo saya the Japanese Foreign Office spokesman recanted the denial that the Japanese machinegunned the Panay after the bombing, but he added that it was still uncertain whether the Panay or the Japanese fired first. The Shanghai representative of the "New York Times" states that Colonel Hashimoto personally ordered the motor launches to fire at the Panay, and that he is using his political strength to prevent himself from being punished. As a result a grim battle is taking place within the Japanese Army high command. Officers are wondering whether General Matsui dare punish Colonel Hashimoto, who was the prime mover in the military coup in Tokyo on February 26, 193 K. Apprehension is mounting. Tn army and Government circles that if Colonel Hashimoto is not punished equally with Rear-Admiral Mitsunami, chief of air operations, all foreign Governments will feel that the heads of the Japanese Army are no longer responsible and will follow President Roosevelt's example and address all their protests to the Emperor. The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr, T. Kawai, stated that the recall of RearAdmiral Mitsunami was considered the severest moral punishment that could be inflected on a Japanese officer. Mr. Kawai said thfe accident was due to the Japanese airmen not knowing that the Panay had moved upstream, lack of proper communication, and poor visibility owing to the smoke from the Nanking conflagration.

He admitted that soldiers from a Japanese Army boat fired upon and boarded the Panay after the bombing, but said he hoped to explain the circumstances in a further statement.

NEW AMBASSADOR. BRITAIN MAKES A CHANGE. British Official Wireless. (Received 2 p.m.) 0 RUGBY, December 20. The Foreijm Office announced that it had decided that Sir Hugh KnatchbullHugessen should not return to China after his convalescence but should be recommended for appointment to another post. In his place the King had approved the appointment of Sir Archibald Clerk Kerr. British Ambassador at Bagdad. He was to be His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China. Sir Archibald Kerr will proceed to China as •oon as possible.