INCIDENT CLOSED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1937, Page 5

INCIDENT CLOSED

JAPAN’S NOTE

BRITISH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegtaph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) BUG BY, September 22

The text has been issued of the note from the Japanese Government on the wounding of Sir KnntchbuH-H ugessen, and the British reply. The Japanese note admits that on the afternoon of August 20 two Japanese planes machine-gunned and bombed two motor-cars, which it is stated, they believed to be military buses or trucks carrying officers or soldiers of the Chinese army, at a certain point south-east of Kaitung, between Shanghai and Nanking. This point differs from the one at which the attack on the British party took place, according to the evidence of those accompanying the Asbassador, but the Note points out a discrepancy in various reports, as to the position of the incident, and says “in the light of all these circumstances, the Japanese Government considers the incident may have been caused by Japanese pianos, which mistook the Ambassador’s motor for a military bus or truck. As the wounding of the Ambassador may thus have been due to the action, however involuntary, of the Japanese aircraft, the Japanese Government desires to convey to His Brittanic Majesty’s Government, a formal expression of deep regret.

As stated in the interim Note of September 6 , instructions have been sent again to the Japanese forces in China to exercise the greatest care in safeguarding non-combatants, it being the desire and policy of the Japanese Government to limit as far as possible, the dangers to non-com-batants, resulting from the existence of hostilities in China.”

The British reply, handed to the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the Government lias received the Japanese Note with satisfaction, and regards the incident closed.

CANTON RAID

BY OVER THIRTY PLANES

CANTON, Sept. 21

Japanese aeroplanes at (j. 30 a.m. twice swept over the city, raining bombs for two hours. “Archies” and Chinese aeroplanes attacked the laideis. The Shamneeu gate was closed to ’prevent Chinese stampeding- to the European quarter. It is believed that considerable damage and loss of life occurred in the Chinese quarter. .The Chinese claim that six Japanese planes were brought down during the raid on Canton.

Macao reports state thirteen Japanese ’planes again passed there to seaward, after fruitlessly bombing Chinese aerodromes.

i The Portuguese are reinforcing Ma eao with colonial troops. LONDON, Sept. 22.

The “Daily Telegraph’s Hong Kong correspondent says: Thirty or forty Japanese aeroplanes again bombed Canton from two a.m. to six. a.m. this morning. They extensively damaged the northern area of the city. They then flew out to sea. They, were followed by Chinese.

It is unofficially stated that two Japanese and one Chinese plane were shot down.

GERMAN MUNITIONS.

SENT TO CHINA

LONDON, Sept. 22

The Daily Herald’s Geneva correspondent declares: “Germany is sending quantities of munitions to China. She also will send more. Germany also is diplomatically working to convince Marshal Cliiang Kai Slick that s**.e is China’s firmest friend in her hour ot need.

“The German idea 5 ’ (says the correspondent), was that Japan should oppose the Russians penetration into China, but should not attempt to conquer China and liquidate iutoiests there. Germany is therefore, trying to demonstrate to Marshal tdiking Kai Slink that he cannot expect any help from the democrats or Irom Russ a, but only from Germany. Germany is calculating that, if the Chinese can successfully resist with German aid, the latter will become a dominant European , Power.

TRADE MATTERS.

Hhitish Official Wireless.)

BUG BY. Sept, 20

In view of the hostilities in China, and more particularly in the Shanghai area, the .Federation of British Industries lias decided to convene a mooting of linns with large interests in China to consider the situation.

The presenting of claims at the proper time will he one of the matters for consideration. The meeting will ho held jointly with the China Association in London and the Bradford and Manchester Chambers of Commerce wi 1 he represented.

CREW ACQUITTED. HONG KONG. Sept. 20. Twenty-three of the accused members of the complement of the British steamer. Severnleigh. have been acquitted, as asking for a bonus is not a criminal offence. The men had previously been remanded on a charge ot refusing i<> sail with a cargo of scrap metal for Japan.

JAPAN’S REPLY. RUGBY, September 21. Tt is announced that the Japanese Government’s reply to the British Note on the wounding of Sir 11. K natch bill 1-Huoessen, lias been handed to the British Ambassador. UN RELI A RLE R UMOUR. MONTREAL. September 21. There is a report from London to the effect that Britain contemplates the withdrawal of her Ambassador from Tokio if the second Japanese Note, in reply to her representations is not satisfactory, and that she lias been sounding the United States as to the possibility of America following her action. The report is considered unreliable. It is indicated in America that the situation is at present unlikely to call for such action oil the part of either Britain or the United States.

A CHINESE REQUEST. GENEVA, September 21. A new note sent to the League by Dr. Wellington Koo, asking urgent measures to stop “the illegal inhuman'’ air raids on Nanking says: “If such indiscriminate air attacks on the’ nation’s capital are tolerated, a most dangerous precedent will be created.” DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. SHANGHAI. September 21. The Japanese rumour that the Chinese Government is contemplating the withdrawal of the diplomatic and Consular Mission from Japan is officially denied. FRANCE JOINS PROTEST. CLAIMS OF COMBATANTS. (Received this day at 12 noon). PARIS, September 22. The Ambassador to Japan has been instructed to associate France with the British and American protest against the doings at Shanghai on the 22nd. The Japanese spokesman announced the Japanese again bombed Canton this evening. Japanese warships heavily bombarded Chinese positions at Pavashan and Shekwan.

The Chinese claim a victory on Shanghai front. Japanese made a reckless attack in Lotun-Liuhang sector and were mowed down hv machine gun fine A Peking message states the Japanese admit that Chinese guerilla forces operating behind the Japanes> fines in North China are troublesome. THIRD RAID ON NANKING. NANKING, September 22. Doniei Agency reports a third Japanese raid on Nanking, was concentrated on the congested Hsiakuang district. It destroyed military train,s and set lire to Shiak.tan station. FOREIGN OBJECTION’S SHANGHAI, September 21. “1 will not he pushed hack ana forth by Japanese commanders. They cannot order me about. 1 am not leaving,” was the reply of Oskar Trautmann, German Ambassador at Nanking to the Japanese demand to remove Gorman nationals. Germany s attitude in this respect is similar to Britain’s. A FURTHER PROTEST. • (Received this day at 12. 50 p.m.) WASHINGTON. September 22. Senator Hull announced lie would make a new and more vigorous proteni to Jnnon, regarding the bombing of Nanking. He described the piotest as being more formal, setting out further a»ul more elaborate details, and emphasising tin- United States stand against bombing the non-combatant population.