DEMANDS BY BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 11

DEMANDS BY BRITAIN

Diplomatic Note To Tokio

ASSURANCES REQUIRED

(British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 15. The British Note to Japan, sent by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, after outlining in detail incidents connected with attacks on British gunboats and shipping in the Yangtze, adds: —

“His Majesty’s Government has now been glad to receive the Note of December 14, offering the profound apology of the Imperial Japanese Government for attacks on His Majesty’s ships, stating that measures were immediately taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, and adding that it will deal suitably with those responsible and pay the necessary compensation.

“His Majesty’s Government observes that the Note makes mention of attacks on British merchant vessels, and I am instructed to request that an assurance may be given that all that is said in that Note applies equally to these attacks.

“His Majesty’s Government takes particular note of the statement that, those responsible will be suitably dealt with. Adequate punishment of those responsible for the particular attacks under discussion seems, indeed, to His Majesty’s Government to be the only method by which further outrages can be prevented.”

“His Majesty’s Government cannot but recall previous incidents in which the Japanese Government expressed regret for attacks made on British nationals and property and has been given assurances that adequate steps had been taken to prevent any repetition. It calls to mind the attack made on the British Ambassador in China while he was travelling by road from Nanking to Shanghai, the subsequent attack on motor-cars conveying British officials on a similar journey, and attacks on British civilians end military posts on the defence perimeters at Shanghai, as well as to other incidents, and repeated assurances by the Japanese Government of its intention fully to respect the interest of third Powers in the present conflict with China.

“It is clear that the steps hitherto taken by the Japanese Government to prevent such attacks have so far failed in that purpose, and His Majesty’s Government must now ask to be informed that measures have actually been taken of a character which will put a definite stop to the incidents of which it complains.” COMPENSATION OFFER Japan’s Apology To Britain “ACCIDENTAL” BOMBING

London, December 15.

The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, announced in the House of Commons that a Note had been received from Japan apologising for tbe “accidental” bombing of ships and offering compensation and punishment of the offenders.

“The Japanese Government itself realises that the incidents must impair relations between the two countries,” said Mr. Eden.

The British Note, he said, indicated the requirements which, in the Government’s judgment, followed from the situation. The Japanese Note stated that the Government had taken immediate measures to prevent a recurrence and would deal with those responsible on completion of the investigation. “It is prepared to pay the necessary compensation for damage, to your country,” it added. It also said: “The Imperial Government earnestly hopes that the occurrence of these unfortunate incidents will not impair the traditional friendship between the two countries.”

Mr. Eden said that no date had been fixed by the Japanese Government for the payment of compensation for damage to British lives and property at Shanghai, Nanking, and elsewhere, but negotiations were progressing for payment of the claims.