BRITISH PROTEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 5

BRITISH PROTEST

-Press AbsU.-

Killing of Soldier by Japanese Plane NEW DEFENCE ORDERS

(By Telegraph'

-Copyrigbt.)

(Eeceived 27, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 26. Following tke mackine-gun attack made by a Japanese aeroplane uver the Skangkai rosidential district yesterday, and as a result of wkick Kifleman G. McGowan, of tke First Ba-t-talion Eoyal Ulster Eifles, was kiiled, Britisk troops kave keen ordered to £re 'on any aircraft coming dangerously close to the outposls. The orders to thc British to fire completely ckange tke previous instructions, wkick wero to hre on defeated Chinese rushing the posts, but to permit the passage of Japanese advancing in good order. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Little, the British rtaval Commander-in-Chief in China, and tko Consul-Gcn-eral have protested to Japan against the shooting of Bifleman McGowan. The Government will order a general inquiry kefore action is taken. The Japanese are making a strict investigation of the incident, "with a view to taking necessary measures against the aviators." They have also semi-officially promised compensation, and have renewed their expressions of regret. They say that a rush-eovered British patrol shelter was mistaken for a Chinese position. The British headquarters in Shanghai have approved of Oorporal Henry Osborne's action in ordering Eifleman O 'Leary to iire at the attacking plane. The German Consul-General has also entered a protest. The Japanese plane also attacked two German riders, one being thrown into a ditch and injured.