AERIAL BOMBING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21051, 1 June 1938, Page 9

AERIAL BOMBING

RUTHLESS KILLING OF CIVILIANS World-Wide Protests Voiced STERN DENUNCIATION OF JAPANESE Chinese Warplanes Moving British Official Wlreles? RUGBY, May 30. Public dismay at the news from Spain and the Far East of heavy civilian casualties as a result of aerial bombing was reflected in questions 'addressed in the House of Commons to the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain). Mr Neville Chamberlain was asked what steps had been taken to give effect to the unanimous resolution passed by the House on February 2 declaring that growing horror at the aerial bombardment of defenceless civilians should be expressed in an international agreement to co-operate in its prohibition. The Government reply stated that the question was being most carefully studied by the departments concerned with a view to overcoming the many technical and legal difficulties .involved, but it had not yet reached a form in which it could advantageously be submitted to other Governments. At the same time Great Britain had not failed to make clear its views about the bombardment of civilian populations and had approached France and the Vatican. Answering supplementary questions, Mr Chamberlain said that what was desired was an international agreement. It was no use putting before other Governments crude or unprepared proposals on a matter which gave rise to very great difficulties. The British Government was seeking to get a proposition into a form in which it would have a chance of acceptance by other Governments, and when it succeeded, it would be in a position to Invite the other Governments to consider the proposal. Appeals Made to Both Sides Other questions concerned the bombing of Alicante Mr Chamberlain, replying, recalled that Britain had on more than one occasion expressed to both sides in Spain its profound concern at the intensification of aerial bombardment which had rsesulted in serious loss of civilian life, and it had drawn attention to the universally accepted principle that the aerial bombardment of military objectives was alone admissible. "While I have not sufficient information at my disposal to judge what were the objectives on this occasion. I desire to take this opportunity of repeating how profoundly Britain deplores the maiming and deaths of defenceless citizens," declared Mr Chamberlain.

WORLD-WIDE PROTESTS APPEAL TO ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph-Copyright HANKOW, May 30. A Canton message reports that It is officially stated that 200 persons were killed and 300 wounded in today's air raid. British missionaries at Canton have cabled an appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury asking him to draw public attention to the bombing of Chinese civilians, an* to urge the British Government to protest to Japan. American residents have similarly cabled their Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull). ARE REPRISALS LIKELY? CHINESE AIRCRAFT MOVING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 30. A Tokio message reports that two warplanes, believed to be Chinese, flew over the Japanese island of Kyushu. EXTENSION OF RAIDS OVER HUNDRED PLANES OPERATING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 1, 1.30 a.m.) HANKOW, May 31. Chinese fighter planes repelled sixty Japanese raiders over the city. It is reported that 200 Japanese planes set off this morning to bomb Chinese towns. The fourth raid on Canton by five planes caused heavy explosions in tire thickly populated Honam district. It is feared there are considerable civilian casualties. The assumption is growing that the Japanese Invasion of South China is Imminent, coupled with the attack on the Canton-Hankow railway. The Hongkong correspondent of the exchange records the assemblage of numerous Japanese warships at the mouth of Pearl River on the Kwautung coast. JAPAN ALARMED CHINESE IMPROVE CHANNELS OF SUPPLIES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, May 30. A stir has been caused by the news that a group of French banks is backing the construction of a railway within six months to connect Haipong, in Indo-China, with Nanning, in Kwangsi, which next to Hong Kong, is China's best route for importing mir’ittrnc <rom Europe.