RIGID ORDERS TO JAP. ARMY, NAVY OFFICERS

Northern Advocate, 27 December 1937, Page 5

RIGID ORDERS TO JAP. ARMY, NAVY OFFICERS

(Received 10 a.m.) TOKIO, December 24. The text of the Japanese reply handed to the United States Ambassador, Mr Grew, reveals that rigid orders have been issued to Japanese Army and Navy officers by the Foreign Office to increase attention to see that they did not infringe foreign interests and to maintain closer contacts with the American authorities;

It adds that, in addition to the recall of the aviation command* er, “staff members of the Fleet, the commander of the flying squadrons and others responsible, have been duly dealt with according to the law.”

The reply points out that the Japanese Navy issued without delay strict orders to “exercise the greatest caution in every area where the warships and other vessels of America and any third Power are present, with the purpose of avoiding a recurrence of a similar mistake, even at the sacrifice of strategic advantage in attacking the Chinese troops,” • , •

Entirely Due to Mistake.

Further, the reply states that it is “fully established that the attack on the Panay was entirely unintentional and entirely due to a mistake, as described in the Japanese Note.” The comamnders concerned were immediately removed from their posts and recalled.

It is fervently hoped that the United States Government will appreciate the drastic steps taken from a sincere desire by Japan to safeguard the rights and interests of the United States and other third Powers.