AIR ATTACKS ON SHIPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21052, 2 June 1938, Page 9

AIR ATTACKS ON SHIPS

NOT BOMBING DEFENCELESS CITY DEFENCES OF CANTON REVEALED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Received June 1, 11.55 p.m.) TOKIO, June 1. With reference to the recent bombings of Canton, the Foreign Office Spokesman, Mr T. Kawai, said: “The Chinese are denouncing us for attacking a supposedly defenceless city, but we spotted at least thirty-one emplacements of anti-aircraft batteries, and ten military establishments, hence Canton cannot be recognised as defenceless. Moreover for obvious reasons several such establishments are close to foreign property, and another is close to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial. Nevertheless, we are doing our utmost not to damage foreigners.” EARLY PROTESTS LIKELY ANGLO-FRENCH NOTE IN PREPARATION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 2, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 1. The Paris correspondent of the London Exchange says: “Britain and France are putting the finishing touches on a Note protesting against the bombardment of open towns whether in Spain or China.” DENIAL OF ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS STATEMENT BY JAPANESE FOREIGN OFFICE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 2, 1.15 a.m.) TOKIO, June 1. The Japanese Foreign Office insists that the bombing of Canton was confined to fortresses, aerodromes, munitions factories, and military points, and suggested that the civilian casualties were attributable to the recklessness of the Chinese fire. PRICE OF DEFENCE HEAVY LOSSES OF CHINESE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-Copyright TOKIO, May 31. It is officially estimated that the Chinese lost 103,000 killed and 137,000 wounded in the battle for Hsuchow up to May 24.