AERIAL OUTRAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 13

AERIAL OUTRAGE

WOUNDED AMBASSADOR LONDON PRESS COMMENT JAPAN'S RESPONSIBILITY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British "Wireless RUGBY, August 30 The terms of the British Note to Japan have been received with warm approval in the press. The Times describes them as just, and says no British Government could have asked for less in satisfaction for a shocking outrage, but to have presented stiffer demands would have been to allow well justified resentment to outrun reason. "There is, of course, no suggestion that the attack on the Ambassador was even indirectly instigated by the Japanese authorities." says the Times, "but the machine-gunning of his car by Japanese airmen was a consequence of conduct that was in itself entirely contrary to nil accepted international usage. The Japanese Government cannot disclaim responsibility for the consequence of this illegal action. "The inexcusable part of the affair is that the attack, which was made by a Japanese military force, was an attack delivered upon civilian life. This is the real issue. The Note stands 011 no petty point of honour, but for a fundamental principle which cannot be allowed, in the immense range of modern armaments, to lapse into desuetude." The Daily Telegraph observes that the Note, though firm, was marked by restraint uncommon enough in these days of dictatorial diplomacy. The 1 natural anticipation is that the Japanese Government will offer the satisfaction asked for. Unless the doctrines generally accepted for warfare on land and sea can be extended to operations from the ! air, future conflicts between great nations must see the collapse of civilisation. The News Chronicle, after commending the restraint of the Note, says it made demands which any responsible Government, careful of its honour, would have granted already. UNION JACK ON CAR LARGER THAN WAS THOUGHT RECOVERED AND MEASURED British Wireless RUGBY, August 30 In the British Government's Note to Japan on the wounding of Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, reference was made to a Union Jack flovm above the roof of the car in which the Ambassador was travelling at the time. The size of the flag was given as 18in. by 12in. It has now been recovered and measured by British authorities in Shanghai and was, in fact, 30in. by 18in. IMPERIAL AIMS 'JAPANESE INDICTED RUINING OWN OPPORTUNITIES NANKING, August 30 Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese 1 Generalissimo, in an interview, described Japan's aim as the establishment, of a continental Empire. He said China, with inadequate equipment, was fighting the battle of all the nations which observed sanctity of treaties. It was not difficult t-o prophesy what would happen to the trade of foreign nations if Japan secured domination over China. Japan was isteadily wiping out her own investments and destroying her own commercial opportunities in a land where statesmanlike action would have given her almost a trade monopoly. The question of intervention rested with the Powers who had organised the League of Nations and signed the NinePower and Kellogg Pacts.

NOTE TO LEAGUE covenant and pacts TOKIO'S ALLEGED BREACHES GENEVA. Ausrnst 30 The League of Nations has received a Note from China accusing Japan of violating the Covenant, the Kellogg Pact and the Nine-Power Treaty. Reviewing the developments since the Liukouchiao incident the Note contends that China sought a peaceful settlement while Japan resorted to deliberate aggression. It -is believed that the Note is intended to prepare the way for an appeal to the Assembly, which opens on September 13. FLOCKING TO HONGKONG CHINESE FROM SOUTH PROBLEM FOR AUTHORITIES Fearing a Japanese attack in South China, thousands of Chinese from Foochow, Swatow and other coastal towns are flocking to Hongkong, says a correspondent. Their influx is complicating the task of the authorities who are providing accommodation for refugees. The Hongkong hotels are packed and every spare bed in private homes is being listed. Farther south, with the last of the Japanese residents gone, Canton in preparing defences against a possible attack by tho Japanese Navy. AIR LINE TO EUROPE COUNTERACTING BLOCKADE SHANGHAI, Ausrnst 26 To counteract the Japanese blockade of the coast, China will open an airline service to Europe, via Moscow. Nineteen Bellanca aeroplanes are being shipped to China, where they will be fitted with guns and bomb racks. RUSSIANS AT SHANGHAI SHANGHAI, August *2l A serious problem is presented at Shanghai by the Russian community of approximately 20,000, including a large percentage of women and children. Many are very poor and cannot get away. In any case, they, have nowhere j to go.