Nanking Must Be Bombed

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 7, 1 October 1937, Page 5

Nanking Must Be Bombed

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japanese reply Capital is Centre of Chinese Defence NOTE TO THE POWERS

(Bj Telegraph

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(Received 1, 1.50 p.m.) . TOKIO, Sept. 30. Tbe Foreign Minister's, Mr Hirota's ldentical Notes to England, Frauce and tBe United States iu reply to the protests against the bombing of Nanking^ affirms that Nanking is tlie centre of the Chinese defence, and ihat ifc ic unavoidable that military establisbments should be bombed. There ia. no indiseriminate bombing of noncombatants, to whom warnings are isaued, the Note adds. It requcsts the Powers' co-operation in this safegUard, which is proof of Japan's solicitude for the safety of the lives and property of foreign nationals. The text of the Japauese Note in reply to the United States protest, made on September 22, is published in New York. It makes plain that Japan reaards the campaigu as a military necesosity^ and will continue. The Note denies indiscrhninate bombing of the civilian population and intimates that foreigners must evacuate bombing areas if they wish for safety. Stressing that Japan is under a considerabie military handicap due to the warnincjs which she gives of her mtentipns to bomb various points, the Note is non-conimittal concerning iudemnification of foreigners for the d*struction of property. The net effeet of the communication is to rcaffirm .the Japauese positiou, and to state that she alone, without regard to protest, must decide whut is right. The Washingitpn correspondent of the New York Times states: — "Japan's reply to the protest of the United States dealing with the ruthless bombing of China, reveals tn Intention to continue unabated her present course of aetion. , "The JaiJaucse Note is almost per- ) funetory. "It appears . certain thaj; the United

States will reiterate her policy and posBibly exchange yiews with the other protesting Governments." A Geneva message aays : Protesting against the League resolution condemning the Jappnese bombings, the Japanese Consul-General, Mr. Usumi, states that the bombing of Chinese centres will continue as long as necessary. Any hope of settling the conflict, .he says, 19 useless. Intervention on the part of a third party is liable to create complications.