A SERIOUS TURN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 229, 27 August 1937, Page 6

A SERIOUS TURN.

A serious turn to events in the Far East has been given by the attack made by Japanese aeroplanes on Great Britain’s Ambassador to China while he was motoring from Nanking to Shanghai. Driven by his Military Attache the car was flying the Union Jack when two Japanese aeroplanes swooped down, turned murderous weapons with serious effect upon the occupants, and then dropped a bomb. His Excellency’s companion was apparently less severely injured, and the occupant of another motor-car immediately ahead, Mr E. L. Hall-Patch, a British adviser to the Chinese Minister for Finance, was affected by the concussion as the bomb exploded. Since the hostilities occurred around Shanghai there has been a good deal of irresponsible bombing by both sides. At the' very commencement a Chinese aeroplane damaged in combat dropped missiles in the International Settlement, causing very severe loss of life in which foreign people were numbered, as well as great damage. The other day a large British department store was directly in the line of attack as bombs were released from aeroplanes—from which side it is not yet clear—and other places of note in the International Settlement have been struck. The casualties at Sincere’s were no less than IG9 killed and 535 wounded, enormous damage being inflicted. In spite of efforts made by the British Government to have the situation restored to normal Japan resolutely refuses. China on the other hand is prepared to withdraw her forces and to leave the care of Japanese to the International Settlement forces. Unfortunately Japan has taken up a most arrogant attitude all through the present crisis in the Far East. The incident at Shanghai which precipitated the present trouble can by no stretch of imagination be accorded the importance with which subsequent events have invested it, and arbitration could have settled the affair without resort to arms. But that is not Japan’s way, and in waging war against the Chinese at Shanghai she has totally disregarded the rights of other nations in the International Settlement. Britain has rightly notified both Governments that she holds them responsible for damage or loss of British life or property, while Japan has been warned that for damage to British property occupied in the International Zone, and which is the subject of a very strong protest, there will be compensation claims. No other attitude can be taken than this one. It is to be regretted that efforts to prevent Far Eastern relations from serious degeneration do not receive a better reception in Japan, whose Ministers talk idly of peaceful intentions while the army and navy wage war against the 'Chinese on the slightest pretext.