OUTRAGES WORSE THAN REALISED

Evening Star, Issue 19520, 30 March 1927, Page 6

OUTRAGES WORSE THAN REALISED

AMERICAN MINISTER'S REPORT

WASHINGTON, March 29.

(Received March 30, at 10.10 a.m.)

Tho American Minister (Mi MacMurray) in Peking lias informed tie State Department tint an examination of the depositions and verbal statements made by reliable Americans in Nanking shows that the outrages committed by Nationalist soldiers in Nanking wore even more riotous than was at first realised.

There were two known canes ol attempted, hut unsuccessful, criminal assaults upon women, and there were several other cases only slightly less serious in character.

Tho report declares that the campaign of terrorism and insult to foreigners was not only officially countenanced and directed, hut oven prearranged. The Nanking incident could hardly have been more outrageous, and its worst aspects would have been greatly multiplied hut for tho timely bombardment.

The reports suggest the immediate withdrawal of all Americans in the Nationalist territory, and the undertaking of “ some action sufficiently strong to defer perpetration of similar incidents elsewhere.”

Following the publication of Mr MacMurray’s report, President Coolidgei announced that he considered tho American forces now in China and en route adequate to protect American lives and property, but he would bo guided by the judgment of Admiral Williams, and was prepared to send additional forces should Admiral Williams consider it necessary.

President Coolidge added that he wanted it understood that American officers would retain control of the United States forces in China. The United States contemplated no unified command of foreign affairs in Shanghai.

Mr Coolidge explained that this did not preclude co-operation between American and other foTeign commanders now in effect. Such co-operation was essential to the protection oi Americans, because American.-) were scattered over tho International Settlement, which was now guarded by trie combined foreign forces. Mr Coolidge defined the American ships at Shanghai as a police force for emergency against rioting by native soldiers and civilians rather than as a force to withstand a recognised military attack, which was not expected, and it was erroneous >o refer to the American troops at Shanghai as an expeditionary force or as proposing to wage war on anyone.