JAPAN’S VERSION REJECTED

Southland Times, Issue 23395, 30 December 1937, Page 5

JAPAN’S VERSION REJECTED

ATTACK ON HALS. LADYBIRD British Response To Army’s Explanation TOKYO’S NOTE NOT YET PUBLISHED DELAY CAUSES SURPRISE TO FOREIGNERS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 29, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, December 29. The acting Counsellor of the British Embassy at Tokyo (Mr J. L. Dodds) informed the spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office that the British Embassy was unable to accept the Japanese Army’s version of the attack on H.M.S. Ladybird. It is significant that the Japanese Note on the subject is based on the Army’s information. This might indicate that the Note will be unsatisfactory. Some quarters are of the opinion that Britain might make new representations. The Japanese Cabinet approved the reply to Britain’s protests against the attacks on her shipping, upon which the Foreign Minister (Mr Koki Hirota) reported to the Emperor. Later the Note was handed to the British Ambassador to Tokyo (Sir Robert Craigie). Simultaneously the Japanese Foreign Office announced that the contends would not be released tonight. The date of release has not been announced. Those in well-informed circles believe that the reply will be similar to that handed to the United States about the Panay, although the delay in the publishing of the Note caused some circles to surmise that it contains matter hitherto not revealed. It is believed that the Note complies with the requests for an apology, for indemnities, and for guarantees of non-recurrence. The delay in publishing the reply has caused surprise and it is thought that possibly it has been held back so that the Army’s statement could be issued. It is also considered possible that there will be differences between the Note and the Army explanation. SMOKE SCREENS After Mr Hirota Tiad handed over the Japanese reply to Britain the Army issued a statement that the Japanese were unaware of the presence of foreign vessels in the Yangtze Kiang. On December 11 they saw 10 vessels going upstream, and the commander, believing them to be Chinese, ordered the troops to fire, but the distance was too great. The detachment then marched all night and arrived at Wuhu on the morning of December 12. They saw four steamers at anchor belching smoke and formed the opinion that this was an attempt to put up a smoke screen. The commander ordered the gunners to' fire and saw the shells strike the first and second ships. Those behind sailed down stream. One of the two ships hit moved towards the Japanese forces on the river bank. The Japanese commander then identified it and ordered his men to cease fire.

In the meantime the Japanese saw six steamers behind the river delta and came to the conclusion that they were British ships, hiding and using smokescreens and thus aiding the retreating Chinese. Officers from H.M.S. Bee later landed and had a discussion with the Japanese commander, who apologized and promised not to fire on British ships in future. Captain Kondo, at the instance of the Navy Minister, has handed the British Naval Attache (Captain Rawlings) an explanation of the bombing of the gun-boats Scarab and Cricket and of British merchantmen. The Toyko correspondent of The Times says it is believed that the Japanese reply will point out that the airmen who bombed the Scarab and the Cricket were experiencing only their fourth day of active service. ACUTE TENSION AT TSINGTAO CHINESE OFFICIALS FLEE CITY SHANGHAI, December 28. There is acute tension at Tsingtao, the chief port of the Shantung province, from where 45 Americans have been evacuated. The Chinese banks are closed, the shops are shuttered, and the streets deserted. The Chinese have blown up all the bridges on the Tsinan-Tsingtao railway in an attempt to check the Japanese who, after the occupation of Tsinan, are pursuing the Chinese to Taian. They claim to be able to cut off the retreat of the Chinese in the Tsingtao district, on which it is expected to avenge the burning of the Tsingtao cotton mills. The Chinese have abandoned their jobs in the post office, and Britons and foreigners have volunteered to maintain the service. Three Chinese newspapers have suspended publication because of the disappearance of their staffs. The systematic blowing up of Japanese cotton mills has begun. Macao, Portugal’s only colonial possession in the Far East, was awakened at dawn' by the reports of heavy artillery 10 miles south-west of the city from Wongnan Island, which the Japanese, after shelling, have occupied. Reports from the Portuguese, who possess the rights to Wongnan Island, have so far not been received. CHANGE IN BRITISH NAVAL COMMAND (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 28. The Admiralty announces the appointment of Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Noble as Commander-in-Chief of the China Station, in succession to ViceAdmiral Sir Charles Little.