JOINT ACTION?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 180, 1 August 1941, Page 7

JOINT ACTION?

CHINA AND RUSSIA

Japan's Apology To America

Not Satisfactory

United Tress Rec. 1.30 p.m

Ass«cia t ion.— Copyright. LONDON, July 31

A cable from Tokyo quotes the Domei news agency's Nanking correspondent as stating that a RussianChinese conference would he held shortly to discuss joint militarv operations. Five representative's of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek left Chungking on Monday to meet the Russian delegation at Chita. The Domei report said that Chinese Communists would also participate.

The Japanese Foreign Minister. Admiral Tovoda. expressed the regret of his Government at the bombing of the United States gunboat Tutuila at Chungking. The apology was made to the United States Ambassador in Tokyo. Mr. Joseph Grew, before he had time to make a protest. Mr. Grew was assured that the Japanese armed forces everywhere had been instructed to take the utmost care of American property.

In a statement to the Press at Washington, Mr. Sumner Welles, Under-Secretary of State, said that the United States was not satisfied with the Japanese apologies and was waiting for a more complete reply.

The seriousness with which il viewed the bombing of the Tutuila is seen in the action of the Japanese Government in clamping down a blanket ban on messages regarding the incident for many hours. The ban was lifted only after Mr. Grew three times protested and also telephoned to Washington asking that an uncensored account be issued there.

A Peiping message says that the Japanese Army announced to the Press to-day that because of the infiltration of Chungking agents, who were trying to create JapaneseAmerican incidents, the Japanese authorities in North China were taking protective measures regarding American establishments in certain areas, including Peiping, Tientsin and Chefoo.

An earlier message from Tokyo says nine Japanese naval air units, comprising the largest squadron since the outbreak of hostilities. bomberl Chungking continually for seven hours yesterday and destroyed military establishments.

Reports from Saigon state that Japanese fighter planes and bombers landed at the Saigon airfield to-day, and that Japanese forces occupied Pnompenh. Sixty Japanese warships are lying off Cap St. Jacques.