AMERICA ACCEPTS JAPAN'S REPLY
Implied Reservations As To Future Action
REJECTS JAPANESE ASSERTION THAT ATTACK WAS ACCIDENT
Washington, Dec. 26: The United States Government has ac- cepted the Japanese Government's apologies for the Panay incident and assurances that every effort will be made to prevent interference. of American Interests" in China in the future, but the wording of the American Note leaves no doubt that in closing the incident the United States Goverment will closely watch Japan's conduct henceforth.
Meanwhile, the United States Government is determined to rein- force its position in China rather than to withdraw troops or ships from there.
The American Note, which, will be delivered to the Japanese For- eign Office by the American Am- bassador in Tokyo, states that the Japanese note of December 24 re- cites certain definite, specific steps which have been taken to ensure against infringement For unwar- ranted interference with the rights and interests of the United States and other third Powers, and adds that the Japanese Government is endeavouring thus to preclude ab- salutely all possibility of a recur- rence of similar. Incidents. The United States Government observes with satisfaction "the promptness with which the Japanese Govern- ment in their Nete of December 14 admitted their responsibility, ex- pressed regrets and offered amends.
Was
The Note nevertheless tacitly re- Jects the Japanese Government's contention that the attack accidental by stating that the Government relied on the report of findings of a Court of Inquiry of the United States Navy, which in- vestigated the incident.
The conclusion of the Note ex- presses the earnest hope that the steps taken by the Japanese Gov- ernment will prove effective in preventing further attacks on, or unlawful interference of. American nationals' interests or property in
China.
RESERVATIONS
The last sentence of the Note to
Note Japan 1s regarded here as the keynote to the whole matter that the US. Government's acceptance of Japan's apologies at face value is being tempered by implied re- servations regarding its future course if American rights are again interfered with.
Diplomatic circles believe that the early appearance of harrowing newsreels of the Panay sinking upon the screens throughout the country have influenced the ad- ministration to terminate the in- cident with acceptance Uf the Japanese apologies before national feelings are further exacerbated.
Informed circles interpret the Note as signifying United States' readiness to make every reasonable concession regarding the incident, but if future events should prove Japan's guarantees are worthless, the President, having gone to the limit in concessions, at once will be in a position to adopt the
sternest measures at the moment
any further provocation occurs. Reuter
RE-OPENING OF EMBASSY Washington, Dec. 20: As the text of the United States Note was issued here. it was rellably reportd that the United States Embassy in Nanking would, shortly be reopen- ed. and the US. gunboat Oahu would take over duties of the Yangtse patrol formerly practised by the Panay.--- Reuter.
was
JAPAN ANSWERS U.S.
Tokyo, Dec. 25. The Japanese answer to the United States Panay Note handed by the Foreign Minister to the United States Ambassador. Mr. Joseph Grew, yesterday even- ing...
The Japanese Admiralty simul- taneously issued a statement say- ing that the airmen who bombed the Panay and other ships had not been informed of the presence of American warships in the Yangtze.
These orders. it is declared, were given at noon on December 12; whereas information furnished by the American authorities that the Panay had anchored off Nan- king, only reached Japanese head- quarters at 5 o'clock the same afternoon-
Transocean News Servez..
ATTACK UNINTENTIONAL STRICT ORDERS
Tokyo, Dec. 25.
Mr. Koki Hirota, the Japanese Foreign Minister, in reply to the United States Note of protest..in reference to the bombing of the Panay by Japanese planes, states: "It has been fully established that the attack was entirely uninten- tional."
The reply upholds the Japanese Note of apology on December 14, which stated that the incident was entirely due to a mistake.
The latest Note declares that as a result of thorough investigation, which has been continned since, in all possible ways, it has been fully established that, the attack was entirely unintentional.
Mr. Hirata expresses the hope that the explanations given to the United States Embassy by, the Japanese naval authorities "made this clear.
As far as a guarantee against recurrence Was concerned. Mr. Hirota states that the Japanese navy without delay issued strict orders to exercise the greatest cau- tion in every area where vessels of a third power are present, to avoid recurrence of a similar mistake, even at the sacrifice of strategic) advantage in attacking Chinese troops.- Reuter
U.S. NON-COMMITTAL
Washington. Dec. 25. The
Japanese reply to the United States protest against bombing of the Panay will be closely scrutinised by the State Department
After the reports of Lt-Com- mander. Hughes, of the Panay and the Naval Board have been digest- ed by President Roosevelt, State Department advisers will decide whether to communicate further with Japan on the basis of facts revealed in these reports,
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1937.
SHARP ATTACK
ON BRITAIN
AND FRANCE
.
Abyssinia And The League
Rome, Dec. 26: The speech of: the Swiss Federal President, Motta, and the initiative of the Dutch Government for the recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia have been seized upon by the "Glorale d'Italia" to launch a sharp attack upon London and Parts in an article which appeara in its Christmas Issue under the heading. Two Clubs Upon the Head,"
,
The writer of the article argues against the thesis that the League of Nations can guarantee to pro- tect the smaller nations which are now, in fact, showing how, they regard the League with impatience and suspicion. "It is now proved, the writer goes on to insist, that the refusal of the League of Na- tions to recognise the Italian con- quest of Abyssinia is not attri- butable to the initiative of the smaller powers but to Britain and France alone who have all along been endeavouring to conduct an anti-Italian policy under the cloak of collectivity.. Hence their at- tempt to enlist the support of the smaller powers. Transocean News Service.
AIR RAIDS OVER
FOUR PROVINCES
Shanghal Dec. 26: Raids ex- tending over the four provinces of Kiangsu, Cheklang, Hupeh and Shantung were made by Japanese naval airmen on December 25. barracks were the main objectives Aerodromes. rail tracks and army
and it is claimed that much dam- age was done-
Reuter..
What is giving Government clr- cles the most concern, it is under- stood, is the effect which the films of the incident will have on the American public.
Advance reports say that the pictures taken by an. A.nerican cameraman refugee on board the Panay, ana rushed here by trans- Pacific plane for showing in eine mas early next week, are harrow- Ing and or such a nature as to be able to excite popular indigna- tlon, but there is little prospect that the Government could, or would. attempt to interfere with showing of the film all over the country, and the effect which the pictures may have just when the gravity of the incident seems to be subsiding. is believed to be arous- Ing considerable anxiety.- Reuter "
WUHU PROTEST
Shanghai, Dec. 25. The American Consul-General in Shanghai, has lodged a protest with the Japanese authorities re- garding the recent incidents at With wherein Japanese soldiers tore down American flags at the Hospital and threw them in the river.
KING GEORGE'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Sandringham Broadcast
To People Of Empire
London. Dec. 26: The Christmas message which His Majesty King George VI broadcast to the Empire from his study at Sandringham was listened to by over two hun- dred million people throughout the world. Speaking very slowly, and not without difficulty, too, the King took five minutes to deliver his message. He was alone in his study. whilst the Queen Queen Mary, Princess Elizabeth. Princess Margaret Rose. the Duke of Glou- cester and
the Duke of Kent message in an
listened to the adjoining room.
His Majesty said: "Many of you wil remember Christmas broad- casts of former years when my father spoke to his people at home and overseas as the revered head of a great family.
"Ely words brought happiness into the homes and into the hearts of his listeners all over the world.
UNFORGETTABLE YEAR
"I cannot aspire to take his plate, nor do I think you would wish me to carry on unvaried the tradition so personal to him, but on this Arst Christmas since "our Coronation. the Queen and I feel that we want to send to you all a further word of gratitude for the love and loyalty you gave us from every quarter of the Empire during this unforgettable year.
"We have to promise to try to be worthy of your trust, and this is a pledge we shall always keep.
"As. We look back on the year now closing, we see over parts of the world. shadows of enmity and fear, but let us turn to the mess- age that Christmas brings of peace and goodwill.
IMMORTAL MESSAGE
"Let us see to it that this spirit will, in the end, prevail and every- one of us can help by making that Immortal message the keystone of our daily lives.
re
"And so, to all of you, whether you be at home among your fami- lies, as we are, or in hospitals, or at your posts carrying out duties that cannot be left undane. send our Christmas greet'ng, and w'sh you. under God's blessing, health and prosperity in the years that lie ahead."- Transocean News Service."
"CHRISTMAS EXPRESS" NEAR CRASH
Alert Engine Driver
The alertness of the engine driver saved the "Christmas Express" Kong in the early hours of Satur- d'saster while enroute to Hong
day morning. a few hours prior to arcival at the 'Kowloon Railway Station.
The train, which left Hankow on Thursday morning with British, French American and German re- fugees. covered the journey in a little more than 48 hours.
The incident occurred near Wong Sha Station, the terminus of the Caton-Hankow line where. it Is believed an error on the part of a signalman resulted in the train being switched on to the wrong line.
The express was speeding Into a "stationary locomotive when the driver noticed it some 300 yards away, and braking strongly, pulled UP 10 feet from the obstruction.
One of the passengers was Mrs. being the first English woman to Dewsbury who. made history by
Hong Kong. via the Loop Line, on make the trip from Hankow to
Capetown IL
Mrs. Dewsbury remarked that they had a fine time on this oc- casion and travelled in compara- tive.luxury. "Hot water whenever goods which we took ourselves and we wanted it, a superfiuity of Enned
a small party on Christmas Eve which was most enjoyable."
Most of the passengers stated that the advent of Christmas Day was marked by no special celebra- tion "although one party did get together and sing Christmas carols
TRAIN
ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL
Hankow, Dec. 26: The "Christ- mas Express" which left Hankow on Thursday with about 300 pas- sengers picked up a few at Chang- sha. The next international train for Hong Kong w leave on Dec. 29. Necessary arrangements have almost been completed and it is
three hundred.- hoped to evacuate about another
Reuter
noon
on
TAWENKOW BOMB
Hsuchow, Dec. 26. Tawenkow, south of Talan NO MORE BOADCASTS? the Tientsin-Pukow Rallway in It is understood that Court cir- Shantung was subjected to severe cles regard H's Majesty's reference bombings by 21 Japnaese planes, to the tradition of his father's shortly
after broadcasts as an indication that Scores of explosives were released yesterday. further Christmas broadcasts by at the small rural the King are unlikely.
town, killing many civilians and demolishing a The broadcast from Sandring-large number of houses. ham was relayed to every country Central News. in the Empire and also to America on three United States national networks. Reception was excellent practically everywhere; for exam-. Ple Capetown Johnnesburg, and Wellington, New Zealand both re- Port 100 per cent clarity, and Toronto reports that the effect was so natural that it seemed the King was speaking in the next room.-- Reuter.
The Royal message was relayed by ZBW and came over very clear- ly, every word uttered by the King
Another incident occurred when the caretaker of the Wuhu Aca-being distinctly heard. demy was ordered to pull down the stars and stripes from the ftagpole in the Academy com- pound.
1:
CHUKI AND SHAOHSING ALSO RAIDED
Kinhwa, Dec. 26. Chuki and Shaohsing south of the Chlentang River were raided yesterday morning by Japanese planes.
Flying over Chuki, nine Jap anese planes machine-gunned the streets and dropped a number of light bombs, one of which hit a tea-house, causing five casualties.
A man was killed and another wounded when nine other Jap- anese planes dropped nine bombs at Shaohsing. Central News.
new
SO FOR
་
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY
TIME TABLE
Un aud after November 8th, 1937, until Further Notice.
UP TRAINS
Lucat: Loen Loca Local Los Local
e...
P.M.P.MP.M. {PM, [P.M.
9.6412.19 1.0 1.25418 5.00 6.237.55
1.92497 1.4. 1.87404
2.02 5.00 10.43 1.02 1.37 2.196.17
9.40 0.50 10.48 1.07: 1.41 2.175.00... 8.46 0.56 10.54 1.13 1.46 12.233.28) 3,83 629 8.63
B.00
7.88'..
Kowloon.Dep 6.80 8.25 faunati.Dup. 6.35
C
STATIONE Local
+ UD
Show
A.M.
SHA
HA..A..
8,40 0,20
9.61
9.03
918
10.0 13.20; 10.19 12.82 10.27 12.46
**
3.25 9.36
***
10.32 12,52
Shatin Dep. 550 Taipo Lep. 7.03- Taipo Market
Dop. 7.69 Fanting Dop. 7.19 Shoungahul Shumohua
Dep.7.24 8.67
Arr. 7.30 9.03
Canton....Arr.
5.81/8.02
3.438,14
103
3.888.37
6028.38
8.18 8.47
8.17 8.52
STATIONS
DOWN TRAINS
Loun Local Lara Local Lectioon, P.M. Lo A.X A.M. A.X.
Textes
P.M.F.x.
Dep
(T)
4.60
Canton
Shumchun...Dep 7.06 7.55 9.5912.172,264.11 6.30 6.40) 7.30 Shoungahai... Dop. 7-13 8.00 10.00 12.24 2,36 4.20 5.46 8,47 Fanling Dep 2.18 8.10 10.16 12,29 2.44 Taupo Market. Dep.17.29 8.21 10.20 12.41 2.68 Talpo
Shatin
Yaumati
| 3,20 0,51]
444
6017.01
Dep.) 7.38| 8,28| 10.26 12.47|304||
Dep. 7.40 6.40 10.89 1.01 8.38.
6.00 7.66 ส.เย 1.18
Dep. 8.02 853 10.51 1.143.81
2.31: 7.31
Kowloon.... AFT. 8.CH 8,58) 10,37 1,268,371,4.82|4,8 7.37 7.45 (T) Will also run on Tuesdays S.H. Will run on Sundays and Holidays only for lat clues passengers. 3.6. Will run on Saturdays only for 1st class passengers.
Buffet and Luncheon car will be attached to this train daily..
Further information may be obtained at the Railway Qffices, Kowloon, or Canton from Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, Ltd, Hong Kong, The American Express Company, Hong Kong, The China Travel Service, 6. Queen's, Road, Hong Kong, Mesars. Wing Us Co, Ltd.. The ins Emporia, Ltd., The Travel Advisers, 310, Gloucester Railding, Hong Kong, and from The Hong Kong & Shangbai Hotel, Co., Ltd.
By Order,
R. D. WALKER, `Manager.
THE
HONG KONG
1
PENINSULA HOTEL; KONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAT HOTEL;
&
SHANGHAI
AITOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL).
HOTELS
LIMITED.
in «sociation with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lita, Peking.
STRUGGLE IN SPAIN
སྭ་
Ex-Minister On Outcome
TERUEL SITUATION
Paris, December 26: The Spanish Republican delegate to the League of Nations and former Foreign Minister, Senhor Alvarez Del Vayo, when passing through Parls on his way to London, gaye. an Interview to the Socialist paper, "Populaire," in which he ex- pressed himself confident regarding the outcome of the struggle in Spain. The military organisation of Republican Spain, he said, had greatly improved so that It was now possible for headquar- lers to dispatch reinforcements wherever they may be needed. In view of the numerical superiority of the Republican troops, the new Nationalist offensive would, according to the ex-Minister, prove. 4. failure.Transocean News Service.
"
ARMS FACTORY STRIKE Beadquarters late yesterday ever- Paris. Dec. 26: Owing to insuf-ing which states that all attacks ficiency of food in Barcelona work-failed to break the resistance of ers employed in the largest State the defenders. It is hoped here arms factory in the city have. ac- that the army under General cording to a despatch to "Petit Aranda will be able to cut off com . ACROSS YELLOW RIVER ·
Journal," ceased to work for the munications Tsinan, Dec. 20.
of the "Republican Reuter.
past three days. The despatch troops. It is further stated that Crossing the Yellow River 30
NEW SOVIET AMBASSADOR
added that for fear of disorders no Nationalist planes again bombard- DISASTER DUE TO CHAIN OF
miles north-east of Tsinan, the
Chungking, Dec. 26.
attempt will be made to prevented Barcelona and Port Bon.— UNFORTUNATE
Japanese forces occupied Tsing-
M. Luganets Erelsky, the
the strike. The new emergency Transocean News Service. CIRCUMSTANCES
Soviet Ambassador to China, will then on December 23. They are
paper money issued by the Repub- Tokyo, Dec. 25; now split into two columns, one-present his credentials to Mr. Lin
lean authorities is, according to
OCCUPATION OF TERUEL "Neither the Japanese army nor
of which is advancing to attack Sex, Chairman
of the National the same despatch, only accepted troops progressed towards the c- Madrid, Dec. 28: Republican Well-informed circles here point navy was responsile for the Panay Tsinan and another in moving to
Government, on January 1st. out that the Hughes Report scar-
with the utmost reluctance by eupation of Teruel on Christmas incident." declared
Mr. Erelsky who planned to fytradesmen in Barcelona where the Day, according to a despatch pub- an officer of Chouping on the Tsingtao-Tsinan cely tallies with Tokyo's contention
the Japanese. General Staff to Railway with Choutsun
from Lanchow to Sian en route to economic situation is growing worde | lished by the War Ministry which S the that the whole affair was a mis- foreign pressmen yesterday.
objective.
Chungking yesterday postponed j'dally Transocean News Bervien take, but since Commander Hughes
**The disaster was due to a Along this railway the Japanese his trip owing to unfavorable wea-
asserts that only a few buildings was incapacitated during much of chain COMBIANDER'S REPORT
RESISTANCE UNBROKEN of". unfortunate
ther but will fly to the Shenst circum-hope to attack Tsingtao from the the Japanese action, officials are stances and nothing else."
west. Chinese forces are located capital as soon as weather permits Republican attacks on Teruel have Balamanca, Dec. 26: Renewed Washington, Dec. 24: The re-inched to place most authority
A report to this effect, he add-in the north-east of Choutsun and
Central News port of Lieut.-Comdr. J. J. Hughes, Commander of the Panay, publish-liminary accounts of which in-
on the Naval Board's Report, pre-ed, is being sent to the United Changshan to intercept the ad-
States Ambassador, and he hoped vance on Tsingtao. ed by the Secretary of the Navy.dicate that Commander Hughes' a peaceful settlement would soon kusn on the northern outskirts of New defences are set up in Pel- blames the Japanese for an un- account of the deliberate nature of be forthcoming. precedented attack of great the attack, was fully substantiated. violence and tells of nine Japanese
The attack on MB. Ladybird this city. The inalstence in the Japanese would soon be "pa. 'hed up," as planes bombing the Panay for Note on strict orders being given to the Japanese Government nearly two hours,
descending make recurrence of such an attack willing to make extensive conces within a hundred feet of the deck impossible In future, and the state-stops in reply to the British Note
ment that "definite and specific Transocean News Service. steps" would be taken to prevent recurrence have been well received here, but it is too early yet to say that the incident may be consider- ed closed on the American side.
while the whole time the weather was clear with high visibility. The Panay, flew two large American flags visible at any angle. Sub- sequently an aeroplane machine gunned small boat bearing wounded ashore. Japanese sur- face craft machine-gunned the sinking Party.
•
Mr. Cordell Hull states the find- Ing of the Court of Inquiry raises no new major points, but both re- ports sent by Ambassador Grew support the United States demand for an apology, indemnification and adequate guarantees for the future.-- Reuter.
FILM SHOCKS
It is predicted here that Prezi- dent koosevelt and Mr. Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State, will consider the matter further during the Christmas break,
Only after a further period of official study will it be possible to say whether or not a further
American Note will be consider- ed necessary.
"WASHINGTON PLEASED"
Was
Tokyo Press Of Japan's Reply
To Panay Disaster
Tokyo, Dec. 28: The press has prominently published an expur- gated version of the Japanese reply to the United States regarding the Panay incident with headlines such as, "Washington Pleased By Japan- ese Reply" to indicate a selected
American reaction. Reuter.
"
JAPANESE-CHINESE
NEWSPAPER
Shanghai, Dec: 24. To present the Japanese point will shortly establish a Chinese of view, the Japanese general staff newspaper here known as "Hain shun Pac," with 2 capital of
in the centre of the town are still It is declared that the besieged in the hands of the Nationalista.
been unsuccessful, according to a troops will soon surrender.- bulletin lasued by Nationalist Transocean News Service.
PARIS STRIKE CONTINUES
FRANCO SPANISH FRONTIER REOPENED
Paris, Déc 25' The Franco-Spanish frontier. near Hendaye, which has been. closed for some time, was reopen- ed yesterday.
Chinese guerilla units are active in Western Shantung and along the borders of Hopel and Honan, several frontier points being cap- $280,000. The publishing office is
Parla, December 26: The strike tured by these. irregulars. Theseat Wong Ping Street, Honan Road, here unabated
of transport workers continued units are scattered between the where most Chinese newspaper Troops have been placed in readi- over Christmas, Tientsin-Pukow Railway and the
offices are located. Pelping-Hankow Railway in the
Japanese censora at the Generalness in order to ensure adequate. However, strict control is being" Post Office, North Szechpen Road. supply of the capital with food and
maintained, and only persons able have seized a hundred thousand
to offer convincing reasons 'are letters and other mailing matters,
other vital necessities and also to permitted, to enter Nationalist which are considered detrimental ensure the despatch of newspa- | Spain - to Japanese interest. They are GENERAL SUNG SAFE sent to the Naval Landing Head-
pers. In consequence of the strike Transocean News Service. quarters at Hongkew for safe
large quantities of goods of all Hankow, Dec. 28 General Sung | keeping."
kinds have accumulated at ail Yuan-lang, commander of the Pro-Japanese 88th division who was rumoured literature are being turned out
pamphlets and Paris railway stations and it is.
vicinity of Taming, Nanloh, International News Agency.
Poping and - Tangyi--
NEWTON BAKER DEAD
drowned while crossing the Yang-here to be sent inland via the feared that a large amount of taze after the fall of Nanking has Yangtze River, according to Chi-perishable goods will have to be death ja announced of Mr. Newton
arrived safely at Kaifeng Reuter,
nese reports,--
International News Agency.
destroyed:- Transocean News Service.
Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 28, The Baker former War, Becretary Reuter
41