INDICTMENT OF JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 72, 18 December 1937, Page 9

INDICTMENT OF JAPANESE

Panay Machine-Gunned FACTS OUTLINED BY WASHINGTON Communication To Tokio HAIL OF BULLETS ON SURVIVORS By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyright. (Received December 17, 8.40 p.m.) New York, December 17. The Washington corresporident of the “New York Daily News” says that the State Department has officially determined the following facts, which will be presented to the Japanese Government :— First, the sinking gunboat Panay, with its colours flying, was ma-chine-gunned at short range by Japanese army troops, who came alongside in motor-boats. Secondly, two American survivors were blasted by Japanese ma-chine-gun fire from diving planes as they attempted to leave the Panay in small boats. Thirdly, Japanese officers and soldiers boarded the Panay while Americans were seeking safety and fired on them. Fourthly, the Panay’s machine-gun-ripped motor-boat, in which the survivors attempted to reach safety in a hail of Japanese bullets, has been recovered. Fifthly, that wo Americans were wounded by machine-gun bullets. Seized With Blood-Lust? The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that, while it is now realised here beyond all question that the attack on the Panay was deliberate, it is not known whether the act was solely due to one officer on the scene or under orders of the High Command, representing the Japanese Government. There are two reasons advanced to explain the firing on the ships- after the initial air bombing, the correspondent says. The first is that the Japanese military commanders, on their own authority, decided to humiliate the British and Amercan Governments in the presence of the Chinese in order to persuade the latter that help from Britons and Americans could not be expected, and that they had better surrender. The second is that, after seeing the air bombings, the naval men were seized with blood-lust and let fly in sheer excitement. The United States, pending a further clarification of the position, is adopting an attitude of determination but not haste.

The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, has officially confirmed the fact that Japanese surface craft machinegunned the Panay after the gunboat was bombed from the air. The United Press emphasises the extreme significance of the announcement by the Secretary of State that official dispatches from American Government representatives on board the Panay confirm that the Japanese machinegunned the vessel from the shore. The agency says this is considered to be a most serious development in an already strained situation, and is expected to lead inevitably to a stiffening of the attitude of the United States and an indignant protest.

“Will Reach the Emperor.”

The satisfaction demanded by the Government is expected to be broadened considerably as a result, since it is considered to have proved beyond doubt that the attack on the gunboat was not an accident. Moreover, the Japanese went alongside the Panay after the machine-gunning incident and boarded her while the American flag was still flying. The Japanese envoy to Washington, Mr. Saito, stated that he could say definitely that President Roosevelt’s message of protest concerning the bombing would reach the Emperor. A message from Shanghai states that Japanese naval and military authorities deny that Japanese motor-boats machine-gunned the Panay or its occupants and boarded her before she sank. An interesting incident occurred at Washington last night. The Chinese and Japanese Ambassadors were both present at President Roosevelt’s reception to the Diplomatic Corps, but the tactful co-operation of all present prevented them the embarrassment of coming face to face.