DELIBERATE ATTACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 300, 18 December 1937, Page 9

DELIBERATE ATTACK

SINKING OF THE PANAY MACHINE-GUNNED FROM BOATS STARTLING DETAILS CONFIRMED AMERICAN ATTITUDE EXPECTED TO STIFFEN (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) Reeevied Dee. 17, 7.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Dee. 18. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, has officially confirmed the fact that Japanese surface craft machinegunned the Panay after the gunboat was bombed from the air in the Yangtze-kiang. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that white it is now realised here beyond question that the attack on the Panay was deliberate, it is not known whether the act was solely due to one officer on the scene or under orders from the high command representing the Japanese Government. There are two reasons advanced to explain the firing on the ships after the initial air bombing: the first is that the Japanese military commanders, on their own authority, decided to humiliate the British and American Governments in the presence of the Chinese in order to persuade the latter that help from the British and Americans could not be expected, and they had better surrender.; the second is that after seeing the air bombings the naval men were seized with a blood lust and let fly in sheer excitement. A United States conference, pending a further clarification of the incident, occurred at Washington to-night. The Chinese and Japanese Ambassadors were both present. Mr. Roosevelt’s reception to the diplomatic corps called for the tactful co-opera-tion of all present and prevented them from embarrassment in coming face to face. The Washington correspondent of the New York Daily News says that the State Department has officially determined the following facts which will be presented to the Japanese Government : (1) The sinking Panay, with its colours flying, was machine-gunned at short range by Japanese army troops who came alongside in motor-boats. (2) The American survivors were blasted by Japanese machine-gun fire from diving ’planes as they attempted to leave the Panay in small boats. (3) Japanese officers and soldiers boarded the Panay while the Americans were seeking safety and fired on them. (4) The Pan-ay’s machine-gun, ripped from the motor-boat in which the survivors attempted to reach safety in a hail of Japanese bullets, has been recovered. (.5) That two Americans were wounded by machine-gun bullets. SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT. Received Dee. 17, 11.30 a.m. NEW YORK. Dee. Hi. The United Press agency emphasises the extreme significance of the announcement by the Secretary of State that official dispatches from American Government representatives aboard the Panay confirm that the Japanese machine-gunned the vessel from the shore. The agency says this is considered to be a most serious development in an already strained situation and is expected to lead inevitably to a stiffening of the attitude of the United States and an indignant protest. The satisfaction demanded by the Government is expected to be broadened considerably as a result, since it is considered to have proved beyond doubt that the attack on the gunboat was not an accident. Moreover, the Japanese went alongside the Panay after the machine-gunning incident and boarded her while the American flag was still flying. The Japanese Envoy, Viscount Saito, staled that he could say definitely that President Roosevelt’s message of protest concerning the bombing would reach the Emperor.

THOUSANDS OF TROOPS EMBARK JAPANESE OFFENSIVE IN PROVINCE NEAR HONGKONG Received Dee. 17, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, Dee. 17. The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that thousands of Japanese embarked on transports from Shanghai to an undisclosed destination, but possibly South China, there being evidence of an attack on Kwangtung province, adjoining Hongkong. A strong fleet of cruisers and destroyers passed Hongkong to the westward. ■The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says 1 at at an anti-British meeting at Osaka a resolution was passed condemning the alleged British policy of aiding China, opposing- British economic plans and condemning any attempt at British intervention in the Sino-Japanese hostilities. ... - l ive . °!«ei'‘Hion posts are being built at vital points on the Chinese-British frontier owing to the possibility of military operations in South China. ' '

BRITAIN'S FIRM NOTE GENERAL APPROVAL London press comments TWO POSSIBLE DEDUCTIONS [ British Official Wirelees.] RUGBY, Dec. 16. Feeling in Britain generally aproves the firmly wonted Note ot protest delivered by the British Ambassador to the Japanese Government. The Government has agreed to the request of the Opposition for a debate on foreign affairs next Tuesday, “hen the situation in the Far East is expected to figure prominently in the discussion. The full text of the British Note was telegraphed to Washington for the information of the United States Government before it was handed in at Tokio. Survivors of the Panay state that visibility at the time of her sinking was excellent, and no doubt exists in their minds that the assailants must have seen the American flag. Commenting on the Britisil Note the Times says that the mere recital of the circumstances of the attack is a damning indictment of Japanese irresponsibility. There are only two possible deductions to be drawn from this hooliganism. It was either a deliberate attempt to test lhe reactions of the Powers concerned, or it must

be concluded that, save for the small upper class, no Japanese can be trusted to carry firearms even in the Emperor’s service, because he is too ignorant and too irresponsible not to run amok without provocation. The fact that no fewer than 13 apologies have already been proffered to the British, unci American Governments is a sufficient indication of the state of mind of the responsible statesmen in Tokio. The Daily Mail states that the British Note speaks wholly in the name of the British people. Other papers comment on the same A Washington message states that Mr. Cordell Hull has officially confirmed that the Japanese on land machine-gunned the Panay aft?; bombing her from the air. navy apologises MACHINE-GUNNING DENTED TOKIO, Dec. 16. The Ministry for the Navy, apologising for the bombing of the Panay, expresses heartfelt appreciation of the calmness of the United States naval authorities on the spot, and hopes that the occurrence, though grievous, will be a step towards an AmericanJapanese understanding. A Shanghai message states that the Japanese naval and military authorities deny that two Japanese motorboats machine-gunnsd the Panay or lhe occupants of it, or boarded'her before she sank.