JAPAN'S REPLY TO BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 11

JAPAN'S REPLY TO BRITAIN

HEATED DEBATE IN DIET

NO EVIDENCE OF * JAPANESE ATTACK

ON AMBASSADOR

(United Fross Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received September 7, 10.15 a.m.) TOKIO, September 6.

The Japanese reply to Britain regarding the attack on the British Ambassador to China, Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, has been delivered. It is of an interim character, and details are not disclosed. • t • The Foreign Minister, Mr. K. Hirota, questioned in the Diet regarding "the insult in the British Note," declined to comment. The questioner implied that an insult was contained, in the assertion that Japan deliberately attacked non-combatants. Mr. Hirota asserted that there is at present no, tangible proof that the Ambassador was attacked by a Japanese plane. He said he firmly believed no Japanese would intentionally attack a non-combatant Discussing the pact between China arid the Soviet, Mr. Hirota referred to the assurance of the Chinese Ambassador, that the pact was negative and had no secret provision, and also to the Soviet xAmbassador's assurance that Russia did not intend to interfere in the Sino-Japanese conflict. "Nevertheless,"'Mr. Hirota added, "the pact cannot be overlooked. The activity of Communists must l>e given attention, especially after the Russian activity in Spanish affairs." ■ ,

The Note led to a heated debate in the House of Representatives. A Conservative member, Mr. Takeshi Azuma, requested the Foreign Minister, Mr. K. Hirota, to ascertain whether the Foreign Office regarded the' Note as proper and reasonable, and what were the exact facts^—whether it was not Chinese intrigue, and whether the British Ambassador, Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, was not responsible for attempting to pass through the fighting zone. Mr. Hirota reiterated that there was no evidence of an attack by Japanese aircraft. "The Foreign Office spokesman refused to deny or confirm a story that the Government has been : unable to trace the airman who attacked the Ambassador., ' (British Offleial Wireless.) (Received September 7, noon.) - •*■ RUGBY, September 6. # The interim reply-from the Japanese Government to the British Note on the wounding of Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen in an attack on a civilian car by Japanese aeroplanes has been received at the Foreign Office. At present the contents of the reply, which is. under consideration, are not being made public.