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CHINA AND JAPAN.
10. Mr. Day asked the Prime Minister whether he will give particulars of the bombing by Japanese warplanes of a British military post in Sham- chun, near Hong Kong; whether any damage was done by the planes which dropped bombs Lowu camp, which is occupied by British troops; and whether any protest against these raids has been made by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo?
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II. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne asked the Prime Minister what action has been taken in connection with the Japanese attack upon Hong Kong Territory; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?
16. Mr. Kennedy asked the Prime Min- ister what form of protest has been addressed to the Japanese Government against recent attacks on life and property in Hong Kong; and whether any assur- ances have been received from Japan that there will be no repetition of those attacks?
Mr. Butler: On 21st February a number of Japanese aeroplanes flew at a low altitude over the border of the British- leased territory near Shamchun and dropped several bombs, killing one Sikh policeman and eight Chinese, and causing considerable damage to a train. Machine- gun fire was also opened on the British railway station and two Chinese were killed. The total number of wounded is not at present known. On the same day His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton was informed by his Japanese colleague of the readiness of the Japanese military authorities to tender their apologies and make amends. Meanwhile His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo protested to the Japanese Government, who have now replied expressing their profound regret that such an incident should have occurred, and assuring the Ambassador that after a strict investigation disciplinary action would be taken against those re- sponsible and that appropriate measures would be devised to prevent the recur- rence of incidents of this kind. The Japanese Government also indicated its intention to arrange through direct nego- tiations between the British and Japanese authorities on the spot for payments of compensation for damages, and for other matters. On instructions from my Noble Friend, Sir R. Craigie has informed the Japanese Government that His Majesty's Government regard the incident as having been settled on these terms.
Mr. Day: Can the Minister say what will be the amount of compensation for the damage?
Mr. Butler: That is the object of the conversations.
27 FEB 1939
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