GRAVE CONCERN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 69, 14 December 1937, Page 5

GRAVE CONCERN

-Press Assn — O>ov''",ii

Britain & America sequel to bombing Japan Apologises; Promises to Consider Reparations 16 KILLED ON PANAY

(By TVIegraDb-

(Received 14, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. A sensation was caused by the liews of the bombing and sinking of the TJnited States gunboat Panay following the Japanese artillery attacks on H.M.S. Ladybird and H.M.S. Bee. The British and American Governments view the situation with the gravest concern. The Panay could easily be identified from the air because she had the Stars and Stripes- painted in several places. The Panay served as a floating embassy and had four embassy offieials aboard. The only Briton was Mr M. Macdonald, representing the London Times. A Japanese communique gives the following account of the bombing: "Acting on information to the effect that Chinese troops were fleeing from Nanking by steamers, the Naval Air Force proceeded to bomb them. Mistaking three Standard Oil vessels for Chinese steamers, aircraft bombed them, and in the course of the operations the Panay, which was alongside the steamers, was sunk." There were 73 pensons aboard the Panay, 16 of whom are known to have been killed. Many are wounded and missing. It is not known kow many were aboard the oil tankera, which were commanded respectively by an American, an Estlionian and a Norwegian, or what kappened after thd sinking of tho - vessels. The survivors from the Panay lnciude fccur members of the Embassy. American newspapermen used the Panay as a floating wireless station from which they sent dispatches. _ Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, immediately after the news, took a pinnace from the Japanese flagship Idzumo to tho British escort vessel Folkeatone and expressed his deepest regret to CaptaiD Dundas. He promised that the Government would consider reparations. A Japanese naval communique refers to the incident as "most unf ortunate, ' and. says that it is very deeply regretted. Mr Koki, Hiroto, Japanese Foreign Minister, apologised in Tokio to the United States Ambassador. Colonel Hashimoto, commanding_ tho Wuhu area, has informed the British authorities that shipping must not move anywhere in the Yangtse river during the next three days. Ships disobeying will be fired on. A Washington message says: It is expected that there will be a prolonged discussion on the United State? neutrality policy in Congress to-day as a result of the sinking of the Panay. The indications are that the so-called Neutrality Bloe will vigorously attempt to force the Administration to put Ihe neutrality law into effect.