Japan Repeats Apologies

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 5

Japan Repeats Apologies

-.Press Assn.

wuhu and nanking incidents Vessels Were Not Intention* ally Attacked GUARANTEE OF RIGHTS

(By Telegraph'

—Copyright.)

(Reeeiveci 31, 11.30 a.in,) LONDON, Dee. 30. The Japanese reply to the British Note upon the occurrence of mcicle»ts at Wixhu and Nanking, states: "The Japanese Government has done its utmost to ascertain the facts, but unfoytunately coinplete investigation has been delayed owing to the dispersion of the units eoncerned in the course of military operations, inadequate communications, or other reasons. A full report has now been received, the principal points of which have been explained to you by the Japanese military and naval aitthorities. "As Your Excellency will know, the incidents in question were in gach case due to the fact that the units eoncerned bad tfikpn it-for granted that under the circumstanqes prevailing aU toreign warships and merchant vesgels had sought refuge from the §cene °t fiSht^jpg, ?nH there could be no vessels left in those loqalities other than an enemy eharacter, and also tP the fact that pwing to thick fog or haze, visibility was poor. There is no roopa to doubt thfi they did not intentionally attack ihe vessels knowing them to be British. This point may well be understood from the fact that assoon as two Japanese iHlval ,bombing squadrons and a miii* tary ppj* discovered the vessels were British they ceased firing, and the Japanese military unit affdrded assistance in taking care of the dead and Wpunded on the Ladybird. "Regarding ihe assertion by the coromander of Ihe japanese military unit that he received orders to fire on all vessels on the Yangtse, the Japanese Qoveynment ascertained that the oraers referred to vessels used for military purposes by the enemy and not vessels belonging to the third Powers. Language Difficulty. ' "The misunderstanding which arose In conneqtion with the conyersations between Rear-Admiral Holt -pnd the commander of the Japane§j&»unit at Wuhu is considered to haverpeen due to the result of lansuage difficulty." The Note repeats the apologies and promises compensation, and adds: "Althnngh the established incidents were entirely due to a mistake, the Government, in order to ensure against the possibility of similar mistakes, has dealt properly, according to the law, with military and naval air-force commanders and officers responsible, on the ground that they failed to take full precautions . regarding guarantees. Japanese military and naval commanders, immediately after the incidents, strictly ordered the forces not to attack vessels on the Yangtse unless it was determined that they were being l»ed tor Chinese military purposes. "In view of the recent unfortunate Incidents, strict instructions have once again heen issued to the naval, military and diplomatic authorities on the spot to take the greatest possible care that attacks were nbt made on the'lives and property of British and other nationals. The Japanese Government, too, is atudying and expects to give effect to, aU possible means of realising the above aims. For instance, after a further full investigation in conjimction with the British authorities concerning the whereabouts of British residents and interests, it intends, at the appropriate moment, to communicate as speedily as possible information concerning these matters to the authorities on the spot • and subordinate the units. "The Japanese Government has taken these measures solely from a sincere desire to render more eflective and valid its guarantee of the rights and interests of Great Britain and the other third Powers, and trusts thergfore that these facts will he fuuy appreciated hy the British Government." In eonnection with the publication of the 'Japanese Note, it has not escaped notice in London that the aecount of the cireumstances of the attaclcs do not correspond with information in pos•ession of the British Government (states a British Official Wireless message). The Note is still under consideration at the Foreign Office.