VIGOROUS PROTEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 193, 1 September 1937, Page 5

VIGOROUS PROTEST

Bombing of American Ship CHINA'S PROFOUND REGRETS (Received 1, 8.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 31. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, ordered the American Ambassador, Mr Johnston, to lodge a vigorous protest to China regarding the bombing of tbe American ship President Hoover. Lfc is revealed that TJnited States naval vessels in the vicinity oi Shanghai are ready to evacuate American nationals whenever a group desires to leave". The Chinese Ambassador, Dr Wang, in a personal statement, expressed sympathy with those injure^, in the bombing, and said the Press reports indicated that Chinese pianes were accidentally responsible, though this had not been officially confirmed. The ironic eight-column headline on the front page of the New York Post reads : "U.S. mercy ship bombed by Chinese planes (mado in U.S.A.)." Mr Cordell Hull announced that all American merchant vessels have been Warned to avoid Shanghai. A later message says that the Chinese Ambassador, JDr Wang, conveyed to Mr Hull the Chinese Government' s profound regret at the bombing of the President Hoover and an offer of immediate redress. He said that the President Hoover was mistaken for a Japanese transport because it was between two Japanese Warships. He added that there was absolutely no intention of attacking American ships or the ships of any friendly country.