BRITAIN SHOCKED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 189, 27 August 1937, Page 5

BRITAIN SHOCKED

Ambassador's Condition is Encouraging ANXIETY AT SHANGHAI (British Official Wireless.) (Reeeived 27, 1.45 p.m.) EUGBY, Aug. 26. A Press message from Shanghai reports that Sir Hughe KnatchbullHugessen has undergone two blood transfusions. His condition, according to one report, was surprisingly encouraging in view of tlie serious nature of the wound, but the outcome is bound to be uncertain for at least 24 hours. Many Chinese officials have called at the hospital to express their sympathy. The messages also speak of expressions of condolence and regard on the part of the Japanese authorities. The incident has created a deep depression. and anxiety among the foreign community of Shanghai. News of the incident, which reacked London in the forenoon, deeply shocked public opinion. Sir Hughe, who is 51 years of age, tvas appointed Ambassador at Peiping m September of last year. A late Press Association message from Shanghai reports that Sir Hughe at midnight was sleeping. Earlier he had suffered considerable pain and had been given morphine. An eamination revealed that the bullet entered the right side below the armpit and emerged on' the left side below the shoulder blade. Part of the vertebra was shattered, but the spinal cord was not severed. The man who gave the blood transfusion was Mr H. Thompson, who is attaehed to the hospital corps of the United States Marnies. The attack occurred near Lake Taihu, 30 miles from Shanghai. Sir Hughe was travelling in the first car with Dolonel Lovat Fraser, Mr Hall-Patch md a Chinese chauffeur. The second iar contained Mr W. G. G. Graham, the Ambassador 's seeretary, and another 3hinese chauffeur. The occupants were dashing for covor when one\ plane sprayed the cars with nachine-gun bullets. The Ambassador was not so quick in alighting as the ithers and was hit. Colonel Lovat Fraser rushed back to his assistance when the other plane dropped a bomb, which exploded within 30 feet of the jar and knocked out Colonel Lovat Fraser. The planes flew so low that the red suns painted on tKe wings were clearly cisible. Both cars carried Uninn Jacks on their radiators. Sir Hughe, before leaving Nanking informed the Chinese in order to ensure his safe conduct, but the Japanese vere not informed, as the car was travelling only through the Chinese lines and no Chinese were in the neighbourhood when the attack occurred. Mr Koki Hirota, the Japanese Foreign Minister, has instructed hia representative at Shanghai to convey his sympathy. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman said it was unthinkable that Japanese planes had intentionally fired on the caf.