IN EIGHT WEEKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 9

IN EIGHT WEEKS

RESUMPTION OF DUTY SURGEON EXPRESSES HOPE MESSAGES FROM MANY POWERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, August 27 A Shanghai press telegram reports that Dr. Gauntlett, who is attending Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, hopes that the Ambassador will be able to resume duties in about eight weeks. Many representatives of foreign Powers, including Russia, France, Germany and China, called at the Foreign Office to express the sympathy of their Governments at the wounding of the Ambassador. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Eden, telegraphed to Mr. Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, expressing sincere thanks for his message of sympathy and appreciation of the kind thought which prompted him to send it. Newspaper comment on the incident displays restraint in tone, showing that British opinion is itself able to observe a sense of proportion in dealing with wrongs and affronts which British writers recently found desirable to recommend to others. Nevertheless, it has revealed the deep indignation felt.

Admiration is expressed for the fortitude with which tho wounded Ambassador bore the journey to hospital, and there has been anxiety concerning his recovery. Mr. R. Howe, who for three years has been counsellor to the British Embassy in China, but who recently visited England on leave, is leaving immediately for China to take charge during the Ambassador's incapacity. He intends to travel by air to Saigon.

Dr. E. G. Gauntlett is the leading surgeon in Shanghai and is the senior medical officer of the Shanghai Volun-" teer Corps, with the rank of Major. He served with distinction in the Great War and was awarded the C.B.E. and the D.S.O. He was at one time surgical registrar and tutor at King's College Hospital, London, and during the war was consulting surgeon to the Salonica Forces.