NATIONAL OPINION

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

NATIONAL OPINION

! EXPRESSED BY LEADING NEWSPAPERS ; COST OF WAR SHOULD 15F COUNTED BEFOREHAND j PRESIDENT'S UNIQUE APPEAL TO i EMPEROR | i (Received 10th December, 9.50 a.m.) I NEW YORK, 15th December. | Editorials in some oC the lcadini j New York morning newspapers mas !significantly express national opinion The New York ‘Daily New” says “If we are meditating war agains' Japan we ought also to count the cos beforehand. The last time we countec the cost afterward and are still counting it. What we would be fighting foi would be the right of American warships and the mercantile marine to be absolutely safe as neutrals on a battlefield. We have a treaty right to safety on this battlefield, but the fact is more men and ships are likely to be hit if they remain. Most of us sympathise with China, but it is not our duty to come to the rescue of a country with six times the population and ten times the resources of Japan. If the Chinese do not love China enough to keep it free we should not either. We think a show-down between America and Japan is coming eventually, but it should occur in mid-Pacific and not in China nor the Sea of Japan. Let us be smart enough this time to pick our own battlefield and know what the fight is about.” The New York "Herald-Tribune" in a leading article lays stress on President Roosevelt's unique appeal to the Japanese Emperor following the sinking of American vessels in the Yangtze Kiang. President Roosevelt has come periously close to asking, who or what the supreme responsible authority in Japan really is? The paper says: ‘‘When an army runs away in China with the bit in its teeth it is probable that the Emperor could say ‘Halt,’ and it would halt, but it is possible that it would not. If it did not. how much divinity would be left the little man behind the high walls of Tokio’s Imperial Palace?” PROPOSED CON ST IT UTIO NA L AMENDMENT There is no sign that the United States has any intention of withdrawing her forces or nationals from China. One result of the Panay furore is a proposed constitutional amendment introduced by Representative Ludlow requiring a national referendum before Congress could declare war. The measure is expected to have a most 'difficult passage due to the Administration opposition. Mr Ludlow said: “To-day's reports of events in the Far East point to the vital necessity for Congressional action to protect us from becoming involved in foreign wars.” A startling angle to the Panay incident is the heavy headlining of a report from H.M.S. Bcc quoting a journalist eye-witness lo tiie effect that two Japanese motor-launches machinegunned the Panay after the first bombing. Japanese officers then boarded the Panay. but left before the vessel sank.

STORY OF BOMBING

ACCOUNT BY EYK-WITNIiSSUS ••HELL LET LOOSE" (Received lfilh December. 10.05 a.m.) NEW YORK, 15th December. The Shanghai correspondent ol' the United Press says that the Americans Messrs John L. lloclge and Jim Marshall, a writer for "Colliers.’' who witnessed the bombing of the Panay and the tankers, arrived from Wuhu in a Japanese rescue plane. Mr Ilodge said: "I left the Panay at 1 p.m. on Sunday to go to the oil tanker Meiping. I was sitting in the forecastle when 1 heard the planes i went on to the bridge with Captain Jorgenson to get glasses to see what was happening. The next thing I knew was that hell was Ist loose. Three planes swooped past, turned, and headed for the Panav. They hit it. then hit the Mciping’s bridge, from which four of us crashed. When 1

I arose I found my head gashed. It was a direct hit and set (ire to the ship. ; The crew got out hoses and the captain handed me the wheel, telling me to beach the ship. 1 tried to go to the north side bank, but somebody turned machine-gun on us." . Mr Marshall said; "The boys on the ! Panay trained machine-guns on the 1 Japanese planes and continued shooti ing until the ship sank. The Japanese planes bombed the Panay 12 times. I was assisting the Chinese into a samj pan when the final moment came. I ; then jumped into the wale- and reached tlie shore. I. Hodge, another American, C. C. Vines, an employee of ! the British-American Tobacco Com- ! pany, walked to Taiping and found ! an abandoned mission. A Japanese | officer arrived and gave us food, but i I was too sick to eat. A Japanese ; army truck took us to Wuhit. The Panay’s officers and men showed 1 plenty ol' courage and fought practically until the last bullet. There were! ; flags painted and (lying everywhere on ; j the American ships. Three planes j j dived within 300 feet of the river and ; dropped bombs, but did not use machine-guns. The sound of the planes diving is something I never v.; nt to hear again.” ITALY NOT PROTESTING ißeceived Kith December, 10.10 a.in.) ROME, 14th December. Italy is not protesting to Japan regarding M. Sandri's death. She states that it was not an Italian ship and his death is regarded as a tragic accident. THE EMPEROR’S ACTIONS •'NOBODY QUALIFIED TO MAKE STATEMENT” ißeceived Kith December, 0.50 a.m.) TOKIO, 15th December. Mr Kawai. replying to a volley of journalists' questions as to whether the | Emperor would reply to President i Roosevelt, said in an awed voice: "Nobody is qualified lo make a statement in regard to the Emperor's actions.” “UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT” EXPLANATION BY JAPAN POOR VISIBILITY RESPONSIBLE ißeceived Kith December. 9.50 a.m.) TOKIO, 15th December. The Japanese Note of regret to the United States was presented yesterday morning. It says that reports from Japanese representatives .in China established that naval planes acting on information that Chinese troops were fleeing in steamers up the river from Nanking took off. However, owing to poor visibility, aircraft although they j descended to fairly low altitudes, were j unable to discern marks showing 1 whether the vessels were American ! warships or merchantmen. The Note adds that Japan fervently hopes that the unfortunate accident will not affect the most friendly re- | lalions between Japan and America. \ :