DAMNING INDICTMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 December 1937, Page 5

DAMNING INDICTMENT

JAPANESE IRRESPONSIBILITY I I COMMENT ON BRITISH NOTE I THIRTEEN APOLOGIES ALREADY PROFFERED IHrilisli OllU'liil Wireless) (Received 17th December. 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, Kith December. Feeling in Britain generally approves of the (irmly worried note of protest jdelivered by the British Ambassador lo ! ihc Japanese Government. | The Government agreed to the request of the Opposition for a debate on | foreign affairs next Tuesday, when ibe I situation in the Ear East is expected to figure prominently in Ihc discussion. The full text of the British note was telegraphed to Washington for the informalion of the United States Government before it was handed in at Tokio. Commenting on the British Note, "The Times” says: “A mere recital of (lie circumstances of the attack is a damning' indictment of Japanese irresponsibility. There arc only two possible deductions to be drawn from this hooliganism—it is either a deliberate attempt to test the reactions of the powers concerned, or it must he concluded that save for the smalt upper class, no Japanese can lie trusted to carry firearms, even in the Emperors’ service, because lie is too ignorant and 100 irresponsible not to run amok without provocation. The fact that no fewer than thirteen apologies have already been proffered to the British and American Governments is sufficient indication of the state of mind of responsible statesmen in Tokio. The "Daily Mail” states that the British Note speaks wholly in the name of the British people. Other papers comment on the same lines. NAVAL DEMONSTRATION BY U.S.A. POSSIBILITY HINTED AT DENIAL BY STATE DEPARTMENT [United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-Copy right] (Received 17th December, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, 15th December. The most significant development cf the day is a report that the United States is considering the possibility of a naval demonstration against Japan, taking the form of advancing the fleet manoeuvres in the Pacific now scheduled for March and April. One news agency features this report, which the State Department denies, but it is indicative of the position which has been reached. The report continues: "Among the possibilities arc that of sending the fleet to Honolulu, Manila, or even Shanghai. A joint naval demonstration by Britain and the United States is also under discussion but it is considered dubious whether Britain's main fleet would leave European waters in this troubled time.” The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” emphasises that the deliberate and premeditated action by the Japanese, as indicated by eye-wit-nesses, has brought home the realisation that unless Japan meets the demands of the United States for full satisfaction an exceedingly grave diplomatic crisis will confront the two countries. Reports of a naval demonstration, adds the correspondent, appear lo be incorrect, or at least premature. It seems to be indicated, however, that whatever situation develops President Roosevelt and the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, want as free hands as possible. Mr Hull said he was unable to sec either wisdom or practicability in Representative Louis L. Ludlow’s proposal for a national referendum before Congress could declare war. The correspondent learns from other sources that the best feeling of close co-operation exists between Britain and America on the Chinese question and that Britain has not asked for joint action. “MUST NOT HAPPEN AGAIN” TOKIO’S "MAD MILITARISTS” DUTY TO IMPRESS THEM (Received 17th December, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, 15th December. Press editorial comments on the situation continues to be interesting. The “New York World-Telegram,” in a leading article, stales: “It must not happen again. The people of the United States do not want war with Japan, nor, we believe, do the people of Japan want war with the United States. We hope that Tokio will find a way to impress her mad militarists with the wisdom of looking before they shoot, for if this is not done it is just a question of time until a new incident occurs. Emotions may then be aroused to such a pitch that we will suddenly find ourselves, Japanese and Americans alike, up to our necks in trouble which none of us wants.” The Japanese Consul-General in New York, Mr Wakasugi, issued the following statement: "In these critical moments be calm, wise, and far-seeing regarding the present conflict in China, because the situation in the Far East is so complicated and the causes so bound up with history that no good purpose would be served by mere argument excited by emotion or hasty judgment based on one-sided provocation."’ Mr Walter Lippmann, the noted publicist, presents a strong argument against the withdrawal from China of ! American forces and nationals. “Asia is too big and there are too many Amej rican connections to make such a polj icy practicable,” he says. “This war in S the Orient is not a local riot. It is ragling over an area inhabited by more than 100,000,000 people with whom Americans have thousands of lies extending through many generations.” SINKING OF PANAY VISIBILITY AT TIME EXCELLENT STATEMENT BY SURVIVORS l British Official Wireless] (Received 17th December, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, )6th December. The survivors of the United States gunboat Pa nay state that visibility at the time of her sinking was excellent,

and no doubt exists in their minds that her assailants must have seen llic American (tag. MA(’IIINE-GUNN V, 1) AFTEK BOMBING lUliilcd Press Ahhocijil ion— Hv Electrlo Telegrn |> h - Copy rich i] ! (Received 1711 1 December, 9.55 a.m.) | WASHINGTON, Kith December. | Mr Cordell [lull, Secretary of Stale. !nfl'icinlly confirmed that Japanese on (he ; land machine-gunned the I’ana.v after : Ihc bombing from Ihc air. j I