UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC APOLOGY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 11

UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC APOLOGY

Japanese Ambassador s To Washington On “Shocking Blunder”

ATTACKS ON U.S. GUNBOAT PANAY Tokio Anxious To Make Amends And Guarantee Safety To Foreigners By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyright. (Received December 20, 5.30 p.m.) New York, December 19. The Japanese Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Hirosi Saito, made an unprecedented public apology over the radio for the bombing of the United States gunboat Panay. He said: — “The attacks were a shocking blunder. The Japanese Government and people are grieved beyond words. Apologies and regrets have gone out officially and unofficially from all quarters in Japan. All Japanese are anxious to make amends, and the Government has already declared its intention to pay indemnities for the material loss. “That is hardly of any moment. What it is impossible to redeem is the loss of life. No compensation possible to mortal man would be adequate for the families bereft. This, therefore, we must deplore. We had not thought such a blunder would occur. “We were amazed when the news came, but now that it has occurred our authorities are doing their best to see that there is no repetition. The Naval Commander of the Air Squadron at Shanghai has been dismissed and recalled. All other necessary steps are being taken so that guarantees of safety will be assured to all foreign persons and interests.”

The speech, which was carried over a network of 23 stations, lasted two minutes. It was part of a commercially sponsored radio news reel programme. Mr. Saito was followed by a criminologist and preceded by an actress.