APOLOGY FROM JAPAN

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

APOLOGY FROM JAPAN

"ACCIDENTAL” BOMBING OF BRITISH SHIPS .COMPENSATION AND PUNISHMENT OF OFFENCES OF ERE I) (Received lG'th December, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, 15th December. Mr Anthony Eden (Foreign Minister) in the House of Commons, announced that a Note had been received from Japan apologising for the “accidental” bombings of ships and offering compensation and the punishment of the oilendcrs. He added that he was sending a reply to Japan defining Britain’s attitude toward the whole series of incidents, emphasising the seriousness oi the situation, and requesting a definite assurance of no repetition. “The Japanese Government itself realises that the incidents must impair the relations between the two countries,” said Mr Eden. “The British Note indicates the requirements which,

'in Ihr (invernuu'iil’s judgUM’iil. ll"W I fmm | lie si tmi I ion," | Tin- Japanese Nolo slates Ihal the ! Government lias taken immediate ! measures In prevent a reem reive, aml ; will deal with those responsible on I lie eompletmn of ils invesl igal inn, and "i ■ prepared to pay necessary compensation for the damage to your country. The Imperial (Invermnent earnestly hopes that the oeeurrenee of I hose tmInriiiiialo ineideiils will not impair the traditional friendship between the two 1 euonlries.” It was announced by Mr Eden in the House of Commons that no dale bad been fixed by the Japanese Government fur the payment of compensation for damage to British lives and properly in Shanghai, Nanking, and el.se- ; whore, but negotiations were progressing for the payment of claims. FIRM BRITISH NOTE I ! PREVIOUS INCIDENTS AND PRO- ; DIESES RECALLED

FURTHER ASSURANCE NEEDED

| The British Note to Japan, after oul- | lining in detail incidents connected j with attacks on British gunboats and | shipping on Yanglsc-Kiang adds: “His ! Majesty's Government has now been iglad to receive the Note of 14th | December oll'ering the profound j apology of the imperial Japanese Gov- | eminent for attacks on His Majesty's ships and stating that measures were | immediately taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and adding Ihal it will deal suitably with those responsible and pay the necessary comtpensatiun. Ilis Majesty’s Government | observes that the Note makes no nicn- ■ don of attacks on British merchant I vessels, and J am instructed to request i that an assurance may be given that all that is said in that Note applies equally to these attacks. His Majesty's Government takes particular note of Uhe statement that those responsible will be suitably dealt with. Adequate punishment of those responsible for the : pai titular attacks under discussion • seems indeed to His Majesty’s Governi "lent to be the only method by which | further outrages can be prevented, lli.s Majesty's Goverment cannot but reI "all previous incidents in which the i Japanese Government expressed regret | for attacks made on British nationals j <*nd property, and has given assurances j that adequate steps had been taken Ito prevent any repetition. It calls lo i mind the attack made on the British J Ambassador (Sir Hughe Knaditbull- ! Hugcssen) in China while travelling by 1 road from Nanking to Shanghai, a j subsequent attack on motor cars con!v vying British ofiicials on a similar | journey, attacks on British civilians | arid million posts on the defence peri- | meter at Shanghai, as well as other i incidents, and the repealed assurances of the Japanese Government of its intention fully lo respect the interests of third powers in the present conflict with China. It is clear that steps hitherto taken by the Japanese Government to prevent such attacks have so far failed in that purpose, and Ilis Majesty's Government must now ask to be informed that measures have actually been taken of a character which will put a definite stop to incidents of which it complains.”

OCCUPATION OF NANKING 70,000 CHINESE SAID TO I?E KILLED RESIDENTS URGED TO RETURN TO HOMES (Received 16th December, 11.15 a.m.) TOKIO. 15th December. The Domci News Agency estimates that the Chinese killed at Nanking exceed 70.000. An army spokesman admits that the Chinese are still strongly resisting in the north-east portion of Nanking, but claims to have consolidated the position on the Yangtste river from Shanghai to Wuhu, a distance of 250 miles, also lo have captured Pukow, Kaingpu. Yangchow. and Wulungshan Fort, north-east of the Purple Mountain. General Malsui issued a proclamation urging residents of Nanking to return to their ancestral homes and pursue avocations of complete peace. It is believed the Japanese contemplate operations in southr China. It is reported that 50,000 troops from Shanghai and Nanking are preparing to sail and invade Kwantung

REFUGEES AT NANKING

HELP FROM JAPAN SHANGHAI, Pith December. Two Japanese (lying-boats carrying doctors, nurses, and food have arrived at Hohsicn to help the refugees, whose condition is believed to be deplorable owing to cold. The Italian Embassy slates that there is no news concerning a Chinese secretary, Albert Ros. who was believed to be aboard the Panay. CONQUEST IN NORTH CHINA OVER 300,000 SQUARE MILES PHILOSOPHIC FATALISM OF INHABITANTS (Received Kith December, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON. 15th December. The Pcikin correspondent of “The j imes states that the Japanese army six months alter the Liukouehiau incident is a nominal possession of over .100,000 square miles of Chinese territory in North China. This North China area covers the whole of the Hopei Chatar and Suiyuai provinces, about half of Shansi, a fair-sized strip ol Shantung, the whole of which undoubtedly will be in Japanese hands before the end of the year. The attitude of the people in North China Inwards the invasion is one of philosophic fatalism

NEW CAPITAL FOR CHINA

CUUNGKIANG CHOSEN PROCLAMATION BY JAPANESE SHANGHAI, 14th December. The new Chinese capital is Cbungkiang, in Szechwan. A message from Peking states that with the old Chinese Republican (lag Hying on public buildings, the Japanese proclaimed a new Chinese Government described as a “provisional or temporary Government with jurisdiction over the territory from which the Chinese have been driven.” It aims at resistance against Communism, the pi emotion of friendliness with neighbours, the furtherance of East Asiatic moral doctrines, and the development

of industries.'’ Peking is named as the; capital of Hast Hopei. It has already j been decided to join Shansi, Honan, and north Shantung Provinces, where autonomous councils are operating. (Received Kith December, 9.50 a.m.) TOKtO, lath December.

The Prime Minister, Prince Konoyc, declared that the birth of a new China at which Japan was aiming would safeguard European and American interests in China. The YangtzeKiang incident, he said, was a tragedy. Japan must not evade her responsibility but take drastic steps to preclude any recurrence in this sense. "The fall of Nanking is only the prelude to the drama of China and marks the start of real and protracted hosililics,” he declared.

MINISTERS SWORN IN '.Received Kith December. 1.45 p.ms SHANGHAI. lath December. The Pekin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” says China's old fivebarred flag for the first time since the republic was declared in 1911. was ceremoniously hoisted by the new lN’ctionnl Government. One c.x-Premicr and eight ox-Ministers were sworn in as members of the new provisional Republican anti-Communistic regime.

CELEBRATIONS IN JAPAN CROWD BEFORE THE PALACE (Received Kith December. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. 15th December. A crowd of 200,000 cheering Japanese surged through the streets of Tokio and converged on the square before the Imperial Palace in celebration of the fall of Nanking. The Emperor remained invisible, being a sacred figure, but officers of the Imperial household waved lanterns in acknowledgement of the cheers. Similar demonstrations look place in other cities. A delegation of girl students, after participation in a Hag procession to celebrate the fall of Nanking, visited the American Ambassador and expressed the regret with which Japanese women regard the Panay incident. It is understood that a 'movement is afoot lo start a national subscription to give the United States a gunboat lo replace the Panay. NAVAL BASE~ONKIMOI ISLAND BEING ESTABLISHED BY JAPAN HONG KONG. 14th December. The Japanese arc establishing a costly naval base on Kimoi Island for operations against Kwanlung. According to well-informed C'l'ncse sources, several hundred Formosan troops and naval ratings are already there.

WILL CONTINUE TO RESIST

! GENERAL CIIIANG KAI-SHEK'S STATEMENT MOBILE UNITS ACTIVE IBy Telr.Rnu’b Press Association! WELLINGTON, This Day. The Chinese Consul received Ihe following cablegram from Hankow: "Genoi'al Chiang-Kai Slick's statement from the licld at headquarters declared that China will continue to resist Japanese invasion notwithstanding the evacuation of Nanking. The withdrawal from Nanking has no elfect upon the Government's policy in resisting Japanese aggression, but will strengthen the national determination to continue lighting. Since the seat of Government has been moved elsewhere Nanking has neither political nor military significance. I therefore ordered the withdrawal of Hie forces from Nanking to other lines, in accordance with my plan to withdraw whenever the enemy's superior armament makes it unnecessary for too great a sacrifice. Chinese mobile units are active behind the Japanese lines on the Vangtse-Kiang delta. It is reported that Chinese troops retook Taicliang. north-east of Quinshan."