SHOCK TO TOKIO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 7

SHOCK TO TOKIO

U.S.A. CENSURE

METHODS IN CHINA

MENACE OF BOMBING

LIVES AND PROPERTY

"WHOLLY NEEDLESS" (Eloc. T«l. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 20, 3 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 19.

Messages from Tokio state that the United States Ambassador. Mr. J. C. Grew, during the address in which he told an audience of Japanese notables that American public opinion strongly resented some of the actions of the Japanese forces in China and that the position must change before the relations between Japan and America could be improved, added: ‘‘lt is the belief of the American Government and people that many things injurious to the United States which had been done, and arc being done, by Japanese agencies are wholly needless. “It is probable that many of you are not aware of the increasing extent to which the people of the United States resent the methods which the Japanese armed forces are employing in China. The American people are profoundly shocked at the widespread use of bombing in China, not only on the grounds of humanity, but as a direct menace to American lives and property. Destructive to Hopes

“The American people feel that the present trend in the Far East, if continued, will be destructive to hope# they sincerely cherish of the development of an orderly world.” Officials and diplomats in Tokio were astonished at (Mr. Grew’s speech. They gave the opinion that there were two possible meanings: Firstly, that the United States was preparing for definite action to oppose further Japanese interference in China; secondly, that it was a strong indication that public opinion in'Japan had turned sharply against the militarists. One Japanese official commented:— “The ground in Japan must be prepared in advance. Such a powerful statement last year would have done more harm than good. Therefore it would not have been made.” The Washington correspondent of the New Yqrk Times states that the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, said he assumed that Mr. Grew’s statements came within the range and scope of the representations in notes sent to Japan in past months. This is interpreted in Washington as an endorsement of Mr. Grew’s action.