THE TEXT OF THE REPLY.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17078, 16 April 1927, Page 7

THE TEXT OF THE REPLY.

MAKE GOOD THE DAMAGED CONSULATES. RIGID INQUIRY INTO NANKING OUTRAGES. SHANGHAI,. April 15. The Nationalist reply lo the American Nanking Note, which is presumably the same as the British reply except for the reference to Shamcen, states the Nationalist Government is prepared lo make, good all the damage at Hie American Consulate at Nanking on the ground that whether or no such damage was caused by the Northern rebels or others, the fact remains that the American Consulate on Chinese territory had been violated. Regarding reparations for personal injuries to United States nationals, and other material damage, the Nationalist Government is prepared to make reasonable reparation, except in cases where it is definitely proved it had been caused by the British-American bombardment or by the Northern rebels' agents-provocateurs. The Note says the demands for the adequate punishment of the commanders of Nationalist troops for murder, injuries, indignities and material damage assumes the guilt of the Nationalist forces capturing Nanking. While this guilt is contradicted a rigid Government enquiry is being conducatcd in order to ascertain the actual facts. The Government proposes that the questions of punishment should await the findings either of a.Government enquiry or of an international commission of inquiry, as the laws of nations prohibit the bombardment of cities of friendly States. The Government proposes that such commission of enquiry should also investigate the circumstances of the bombardment of unfortified Nanking.

The Nationalist reply regarding the demands for an apology from the Commandcr-in-Chief of the Nationalist forces, says: “ The Government proposes that this shall await the determination of the question of guilt, and meantime repeats the expression of regret which the Minister for Foreign Affairs communicated to the United States Government when the violation of the Consulate was reported.

The Note continues: “ The Nationalist Government, as the responsible governing body, cannot countenance the cause of any form of violence or agiLation against foreign lives and properly. The Nationalist army will he instructed to afford proper protection to foreign property. The Government, however, emphasises that the best guarantee for effective protection lies in Llie removal of the fundamental cause of the present trouble between Nationalist China and the Powers who sustain the unequal treaties. It is these which constitute the chief danger to foreign lives and property, which danger will persist as long as effective government is rendered difficult by foreign insistence on conditions which humiliate a nation which is known for greatness, and which to-day is conscious of a renewal of strength. The Government is prepared to appoint delegates to negotiate a satisfactory settlement of the issues of difference on terms which will assure that the legitimate interests of both countries and reciprocity of their relation^