“ATTACK IN COLD BLOOD”

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 73, 20 December 1937, Page 9

“ATTACK IN COLD BLOOD”

Comment By “The Times”

DARK STAIN ON JAPANESE

HONOUR

(British Official Wireless.)

1 (Received December 19, 7.5 p.m.)

Rugby, December 18.

In an editorial on Mr. C. M. McDonald’s Panay dispatch, “The Times” says: “It is a hideous picture only redeemed by the cool courage of wounded officers and the gallantry of the crew of the small, stricken ship. The attack was executed in cold blood.”

“The Panay was flying the American flag and even, if tiie pilot of the first Japanese ‘aeroplane that attacked her did not see her distinguishing marks, there can be no excuse for the subsequent aerial attacks with bombs and machine-guns, and above all for the behaviour of the crew of the Japanese army launch. -i “America will not lightly brook this outrage on her. flag and her nationals, and Italy—to one of whose nationals Japanese bullets brought agony and death —may now find it hard to regard the affair with the tolerant fatalism which she was ready to display earlier in the week. “The sinking of the Panay leaves a dark' stain on the honour and humanity of tiie Japanese fighting forces and illustrates only too clearly the failure of the High Command and the Government of Japan to do their duty to their Emperor by restraining their subaltern officers from committing a wanton and shameless provocation of a friendly Power.”

COURT OF INQUIRY

American Investigation (Received December 19, 8.30 p.m.) Shanghai, December 19. An American naval court of inquiry opened on board the cruiser Augusta to investigate tiie Panay incident. It will merely make recommendations to Rea r-Admira 1 Ya rnell. H.M.S. Ladybird and the American gunboat Oaliu arrived after picking up survivors of the attack on the Panay. The Japanese flagship Idzumo omitted the customary salute when they passed her, but the vessels were enthusiastically welcomed as they reached the Whangpoo River. Japanese officials continue ob-.. struetionisin against the British. The latest example of the refusal of normal requests is the disallowing of British naval officials to visit a British warehouse at Hongkew to obtain stores and material for the repair of the Ladybird. The Augusta is departing for Manila. The court, of inquiry completed hearing the evidence of civilians and will examine the naval officers en route to Manila. LIFEBOAT RIDDLED WITH HOLES Evidence Of MachineGunning (Received December 19, 8.30 p.m.) Slianghai, December 18. The gunboat Oahu brought a small lifeboat from the Panay riddled with the holes of machine-gun bullets. It will be shown at the inquiry aboard the Augusta as evidence that the Japanese turned machine-guns on the survivors. FLAT DENIAL Machine-Gunning of Panay (Received December 19, 8.30 p.m.) London, December 18. The Tokio correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the Government spokesman still flatly denies that Japanese soldiers machine-gunned the Panay from boats, saying the army did not possess boats. Explaining exactly how the Panay was sunk, the spokesman became confused and made several contradictory Remarks. JAPANESE POLICY Agreement In Tokio (Received December 19, 8.30 p.m.) Tokio, December 19. Cabinet, following five conferences witli Imperial headquarters, has agreed on a new policy following lhe fall of Nanking. The decision is now being reported to tiie Emperor. SAFETY OF HANKOW Attack Via Peking Railway Unlikely (Received December 19, 8.15 p.m.) V Peking, December 18. Hankow need have little fear of any immediate attack via the Peking-Han-kow railway. Close observers believe it is considered impossible for tiie Japanese to drive down the line as far south as tiie Yellow River without dangerously exposing the right flank to attack by the 21.000 Chinese troops on Ihe Hopei-Shansi border. AMERICAN TRIBUTE British Warships’ Help To Panay Victims

(Received December 19, 8.45 p.m.)

Shanghai, December 18.

Rear-Admiral Yarnell sent the following message to the British Admiral, Sir Charles Little: “The British warships, in unselfish disregard of their own safety In the face of the threatened force of armed opposition, rendered all possible aid to the Panay occupants, exemplifying the proud traditions of the Royal Navy.”