35
и
Times"
1/10/1937
SINKING OF CHINESE
JUNKS
GERMAN DOUBTS
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN, SEPT. 30
The German Official News Agency issues a statement designed to prove that the report from Hong-kong with regard to the sinking of Chinese junks by a Japanese submarine and the rescue of a number of fishermen by the German steamer Scharn- horst is untrue.
Inquiries, the Agency declares, have revealed that the Scharnhorst did not leave Kobe until September 23, when she sailed for Shanghai. As the journey from Kobe to Shanghai lasts about four days, and that from Shanghai to Hong-kong three to four days, the Scharnhorst can- not have reached Hong-kong yet.
The English report, it is stated, was obviously intended to serve as evidence for Japanese methods of conducting war. The whole incident, it is suggested, would have affected Germany less if it had not been asserted that the report came from German sources, and, for the rest, that Germany has been accused of sympa- thizing with this kind of warfare.
The German Press has definitely dis- claimed sympathy with the bombing of open towns proceeding in China, but observes a sceptical attitude towards many of the reports coming from the Far East.
*** In "Movements of Liners," as notified by owners and Lloyd's, the Scharnhorst was reported in The Times yesterday as having left Hong-kong for Bremen last Tuesday, September 28.
A HONG-KONG INQUIRY The Hong-kong Government are to hold an inquiry into the reported attack by a Japanese submarine on Chinese fish- ing junks.
The Japanese Government declare that as no Japanese submarine was operating in the locality in question, it is impossible that any such attack could have been made.
71