PUBLIC ANGER is Stirred in America

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

PUBLIC ANGER is Stirred in America

— Press Assn

japan's apologies insufficient Note by President Asks for Compensation GUARANTEE FOR FUTURE

(By TelegraDh

— Oopvrignt J

(Eeceived 14 2.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dee. 13. Marked by evidences of public anger and official determination to call up all possible popnlar support to strengtben the President 's hand and plain nnwillingness to accept the face value of the volnntarily-presented Japanese apologies, the first 24 honrs after the bombing drew to a close with American sentiment stirred in a manner reminiscent of that after the sinking of the Lnsitania. Mr. Saito, Japanese Ambassador, announced that he was calling on Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, in the afternoon to offier the most profuse apologies, and the State Department disclosed that the American Ambassador at Tokio had been personally called on by Mr Hoki Hirota, Japanese Foreign Minister, who expressed profound regrets. Mr. Koosevelt's announcement to -the nation that ' ' the President is deeply shocked and concerned at the news of the indiscriminate bombing of American and other non-Chinese vessels in the Yangtse and requests that the Emperor be so advised, ' ' however, emphasised that the United States is determined not to permit areatly smoothing-off of the situation. President Eoosevelt, in a personal memorandum to the Japanese Ambassador, states that he was deeply shocked and concerned at the bombings. He hopes that Japan will present a full expression of regret and pay compensation, and also that she will formulate methods guaranteeing against a repetition o.f such incidents. The memorandum concluded "that all facts are being assembled and will shortly be presented to the Japanese Government, and that in the meantime it is hoped that the Japanese Government will be considering definitely for presenting to this Government a full expression of regret and a proffer of full compensation and methods guaranteeing against a. repetition of any similar attack in future." Members of Congress, in the meantime, have not spared their comment. Senator Pittman said: "It is evident that this series of accidents to neutrals

and neutral vessels is becoming intolerable. It is Iittle satisfaction to have the Japanese Government on each such occasion express regret. "It is the practice of the Japanese Government to grant broad discretionary pojver to army and navy officers serving in the field. Some high Japanese officers are responsible for such outrages. The names of these officers should be determined, and they should be punisked. Only such punishment would demontrate good faith on the part of Japan and tend to end the series of violations of international law. "The Japanese Government," he added., "subjects itself to the reasonahle suspicion that such incidents are deliberate and have for their purpose the frightening of nationals of neutral countrie$ so that they will demand of their Governments the withdrawal of all (representatives and (nationals in Uhina."