JAP. REPLY TO BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1937, Page 7

JAP. REPLY TO BRITAIN

SHIP-ATTACKS EXPLAINED

BELIEVED TO BE CHINESE [BY CABLE —-PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Dec. 31, 11.30 a.m.). LONDON,.December 30. The Japanese reply to the British Note upon the occurrence ot the> incidents at Wuhu and Nanking, states. “The Japanese Government has done its utmost to ascertain the facts, but unfortunately complete investigation has been delayed owing to the dispersion of the units concerned, in the course of military operations inadequate communications, or other rpasons A full report has now been the principal points of which have been explained to you by the Japanese military and naval authorities ' As your Excellency will know, the incidents in question were in each case due to the fact that the units concerned had taken it tor granted that, under the circumstances prevailing, ’ all foreign warships and merchant vessels had sought refuge from the scene of the fighting and the vicinity, and that there could be no vessels left in those localities other than of an enemy character, and also to the fact that, owing to thick fog or haze, visibility was poor. There is no room for doubt that they did not intentionally attack the vessels, knowing them to be British. This point may well be understood from the fact that, as soon as the two Japanese Naval bombing squadrons and the military unit discovered the vessels were British, they ceased firing, and the Japanese military unit afforded assistance in taking care of the dead and wounded on the Ladybird. Regarding the assertion by the commander of the Japanese military unit, that he received orders to fire on all vessels on the Yangtse, the Japanese Government ascertained that the orders referred to vessels used for military purposes by the enemy, and not vessels belonging to third Powers. The misunderstanding which arose in connection with the conversations between Rear-Admiral Holt and the commander of the Japanese unit at Wuhu, is considered to have been the result of

LANGUAGE DIFFICULTY. The Note repeats the apologies and promises of compensation. It adds that, although it has been established that the incidents were entirely due to a mistake, the Government, in older to ensure against the possibility of similar mistakes, has dealt properly and according to law with the military and Naval Air Force commanders and officers responsible, on the ground that they failed to take full precautions. Regarding guarantees for the future, the Japanese military and naval commanders, immediately after the incidents strictly ordered their forces not to attack vessels on the Yangtse, unless it was determined that they were used for Chinese military purposes. In view of the recent unfortunate incidents, strict instructions have once again been issued by the naval, niilitary and diplomatic authorities on the spot’ to take the greatest possible care that attacks were not made on the lives and property of British and other nationals. The Japanese Government, too, is studying and expects to give effect to all possible means of realising the above aims. For instance, aftei fui ther full investigation, in conjunction with the British authorities, concerning the whereabouts of British residents and interests, it intends at an appropriate moment to communicate as speedily as possible, information concerning these matters, to the authorities on the spot, and subordinate units. The Japanese Government has taken these measures solely from a sincere desire to render more effective and valid its guarantee of the rights and interests of Great Britain and other third Powers, and trusts, therefore, that these facts will be fully appreciated by the British Government.

FOREIGN OFFICE CONSIDERATION RUGBY, December 30 ; In connection with the publication of the Japanese Note, it has not escaped notice in London that the account of the circumstances of the. attacks does not correspond with the information in the possession of the British Government. The Note is still under consideration at the Foreign Office. NOT SATISFACTORY. (Recd. December 31, 1 p.m.) LONDON, December 30. Although the Japanese Note was issued by the Foreign Office with the statement, “Official circles have no comment to make,” the Australian Associated Press understands that the Note is not regarded with a great deal cf satisfaction, particularly as the question to which Britain attaches the most importance —the punishment of those involved —is dealt with even more briefly than in the Note to Washington. It is learned from Tokio that only what are described as the essential contents of the Note have been published there.

PANAY FILMS (Reed. Dec. 31, Noon).NEW YORK, December 30. A Universal newsreel, depicting the attack on the Pa nay, arrived under guard, and was transferred from the plane to an armoured truck. It was quickly developed. An impromptu pre-view hears out the findings of Commander Hughes, also of the Naval Court of Inquiry. Photographic proof that a Japanese armed launch ma-chine-gunned the Panay is missing. However, the film clearly shows the port side of the Panay, riddled with bullets. It also reveals that flying weather and visibility were ideal. Japanese planes are diving on the Panay, which is flying the American flag at the stern mast. A huge American flag is stretched taut, two feet over the top deck.

‘ TRAITOR” KILLED. (Recd. December 31, Noon.) SHANGHAI, December 30. Lo Pehhong, Chairman of the. Civil Association, created by the Japanese

to rehabilitate Shanghai, was assassinated, in the French Concession. The Chinese are treating all nationals co-operating with Japan as traitors. MISSION TO MOSCOW. HONG KONG, December 30. Dr. Sunfo, President of the Legislative Council, and Yuan, son of Sun Yat Sen, have gone to Russia, on a secret mission. CANTON BOMBED. (Recd. Decembei’ 31, Noon.) CANTON, Decehiber 30. Thirty Japanese bombers raided Canton, Whampoo, Fatshan, and other points in South China. There were few casualties, as th© populace took refuge in new concrete dug-outs-TSINGTAO DESTRUCTION SHANGHAI, December 30. The Chinese blew up the power station at Tsingtao, thus overloading th'e remaining station. They also dynamited other strategic buildings and cut the cables to Shanghai and Japan. The Japanese forces, advancing from Tsinanfu, are now within 75 miles of the city. The Chinese are stiffly resisting in the Weihsien hills. CHINESE RECAPTURE TOWNS. (Recd. December 31, Noon.) SHANGHAI, December 30. The Communist Eighth Route Army, harrying the Japanese at Shansi, recaptured' sixteen towns, including some of strategic importance, inside the Japanese lines. A well-trained Women’s Battalion, attached'to the Red Army, is battling the Japanese in Mutaishan and Shansi. The Japanese, infuriated by the Reds’ tactics, are pouring in troops, in an effort to render the approaches to Hankow impregnable. Further explosions rocked Tsingtao, last night, as the Chinese blew up the water mains, the Japanese brewery, warehouses and dye factory. CHINESE OFFICIAL MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, December 31. The following Hankow cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul: —After heavy shelling, the Japanese landed 100 marines on Woncum Island, a few miles from Macao, on December 29. A number of Islanders were killed, and foodstuffs were plundered. On the Shantung front, the Chinese are still holding fortified positions between Tsinan and Taian. The Chinese batteries at Chienkushan inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese troops, who entered Tsinan. Bitter fighting is raging on the Weihsien-Kiaotsi railway. All the bridges were destroyed, in order to check the Japanese advance towards Tsingtao.