BOMBING OF CIVILIANS

Evening Star, Issue 22973, 2 June 1938, Page 11

BOMBING OF CIVILIANS

CASUALTIES IN SPAIN AND CHINA BRjTAIN AND FRANCE TO PROTEST Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 1. England and France are reported to bo putting the finishing touches to a Note protesting against the bombardment of open towns, whether in Spain or in China. The Canton correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that trustworthy independent estimates of the week-end bombings at Canton give the casualties as 459 killed and 1,026' wounded. A revised estimate of the bombing of Grenoliers, in Spain, states that-200 persons were killed and 500 injured. Fifty were killed in the market place. CANTON AIR RAIDS JAPANESE SAY NOT A DEFENCELESS CITY. TOKIO, June 1. (Received June 2, at 8 a.m.) With reference to the recent bombings of Canton, General Kawai said: “ The Chinese are denouncing us for attacking a supposedly defenceless city, but we spotted at least 31 emplacements of anti-aircraft batteries and 10 military establishments, hence Canton cannot be recognised as defenceless. Moreover, for obvious reasons, several such establishments are close to foreign property, and another is dose to the Sun Yat-Sen memorial, nevertheless we are doing our utmost not to damage foreign property.” The Foreign Office insists that the bombing of Canton was confined to fortresses, the aerodrome, munition factories, and military points, and suggested that the civilian casualties are attributable to the recklessness of their fire.

CHINA APPEALS TO WORLD HANKOW, June 1. (Received June 2, at 11 a.m.) The v Chinese Government has instructed its diplomatic representatives in Europe to draw the attention of governments and the League of Nations to the terrible civilian casualties due to indiscriminate Japanese bombings in Canton and appealing to world conscience, and, with hope, on the grounds of humanitarianism, that urgent effective measures will be-taken to force the Japanese to cease the wholesale slaughter of civilians, which has caused casualties totalling several thousand non-combat-ants, including women and children, and which may be repeated elsewhere even more terribly, JAPANESE AIRMEN EQUIPPED WITH HARA-KIRI DAGGERS. SHANGHAI, June 1. (Received June 2, at 12.15 p.m.) “All Japanese naval airmen are provided with special hara-kiri daggers with which they are expected to commit suicide if they fall alive in enemy territory,” said the Japanese Naval Spokesman in denying the Chinese claim that 15 Japanese planes were shot down over Hankow. Referring to a report that the Japanese used parachutes, the Spokesman said: “ Naval airmen are not equipped with parachutes. They are determined to share the fate of their machines, for which they are personally responsible to the Emperor. A Japanese warrior considers being imprisoned tne greatest disgrace possible. On the other hand, army flyers can return from behind the lines. They are equipped with parachutes, hara-kiri daggers, and a revolver.” ALICANTE'S PLIGHT LONDON, June 1. (Received June 2, at 2 p.m.) The British Government has instructed Sir Robert .Hodgson to bring to General Franco’s supporters notice of Mr Chamberlain’s statement regarding the bombing of Alicante on May 30.