BOMBING OF SIPS IN CHINA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 December 1937, Page 9

BOMBING OF SIPS IN CHINA

IMMUNITY FROM INTERFERENCE WHATSOEVER STRONCLV-WORDED NOTE TO JAPAN MR HIROTA’S APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED FURTHER AND MORE VITAL RESPONSE INSISTED UPON (Umlnl AT?pr>t!nit ion H.v KU.c.frio Trlrprn|*li—C’op.yri|(hl j (Received lOth December, 9.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, I sth December. Best-informed circles, says the United Press Washington (01 respondent, assert that the protests to Japan by President Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull arc based not only on the Panay bombing but on the principle ol the open door policy in China and the illegality of Japanese interference with .American life and rights of property there. In support of this attitude, officials pointed to the final clause in Mr Cordell Hull’s protest demanding for American nationals’ interest and property in China immunity from Japanese attack and Japanese interference whatsoever. Only on this basis would the United Stales Government consider the incident closed. Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, refuses to consider as a response to his Note the message of apology by Mr Hirota, Japanese Foreign Minister, two hours before the delivery of Mr Hull s protest. Instead Mr Hull put aside the Japanese Note and awaited a reply to his communication as well as to President Roosevelt’s protest to the Emperor. Mr Hull persistently refused to comment on Mr Hirota's apology, thus emphasising his insistence on a further and more vital response to his strongly-worded Note. Jhe Secretary of Stale stressed by repetition of the word "Japanese,’’ where the United States placed the responsibility. Furthermore he cited the evidence that the Japanese flew at an altitude of only 300 metres. Mr Cordell Hull declined to comment on Mr Hirota s explanation that mist obscured visibility of the aviators.