The sun., 1919-04-19
DIRECT BLAME
PUT ON JAPAN
FOR CHINA ROW
Report of Col. Wilder Oh
Tientsin Clash Raises
Grave Situation.
/. S. MAY ASK PUNISHMENT
Brutality Charges Made by
Officer, Who Flatly De-
nies Toxic Claims.
Special Despatch TO THE srS

SpcCi1f DcspdIch 10 IHE SuN.
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The strained
relations with Japan brought about
by the clash between American and
Japanese soldiers at Tientsin. China,
was made more serious to-day by re-
ceipt OF an official report from Col
W. T. Wilder, commanding the Ameri-
can soldiers at Tientsin.
From all the indications the case
against the Japanese at Tientsin is
shown in such light that the Ameri-
can Government probably will have to
demand the punishment OF the Off
GERS directly responsible for violence
| to the men wearing the uniform of
the United States. In many respects
1t was learned Col. Wilder's report Of
the clash is directly at variance with
the official japanese version made
public few days ago.
Col. Wilder cited in his report par
| ticularly the wounding of Joe Rohner.
corporal of the Fifteenth Infantry.
! The report declared that this aoldier
was in the American Army hospital
with his left leg completely paralyzed
as a result of a bayonet stab at the
base of the spine, severing the nerves
controlling that limb"
Grave situation Develops.
The wounding OF Rohner, the re-
port declares, Is but one incident of
the brutality of the japanese in
volved in the affair.
| With the receipt OF the Wilder report
+, information has reached Washington
that the Japanese are about to increase
their force in Siberia. In the opinion
OF officials that matter can be regarded
as one of policy purely and of minor i'm
portance in comparison with the really
grave situation resulting from the Amer
lean version Of the clash III China be-
coming known.
In his report Col. Wilder denies fatty
that the American soldiers started the
trouble. as was stated in the Japanese
version OF the affair, and also denies
that drunken American soldiers" were
involved. The report adds:
..r,,s notter has hoan thoroughly
,,,..,s,o.na n,,,daOoa oan
~ so,,sS ~. ~ A,,orioon so,5iars
r"ha toutr 80 i ~ | hod hasp dr,nSicg
s,.ir, tbotr ba,nn dr,,ri,
s's,. "e Va
VI
r,.s om.
}
The report cites examples OF how IN,
I.n.r..o ofposrs and mo, bo+,srad IN,
-,
eu''eu '4'u IA o"e e0
American soldiers. Ihis sort or menta
American ARMY officer is cited by Col
Wilder.
..ro,, po,. W 1Iis,,rs rSr.oo,,h
rrtantr,, co,,a ort @s the rmn,ra
rrhon..c -. =, IN u NJ oc
con,nan,ad nv NJ and Mrs Tbouas
RrItish suhtccts They started home
and had reached the point near st.
Joseph's School block south OF the
theatre when they were stopped by
Japanese soldiers Mr' ana mrs
Thomas were allowed TO proceed, hut
Capt. Higgins was forced at the
point or the Dayohet 10 return 10 the
: Empire Theatre where he finally
succeeded IN convincing them that ne
"a" ''4t 1,''t0i , ..u't YIN "'.H ''SS
released him' "h'ie torcIhg MIN back
the JAPANESE repeatedly threatened
e him with the payonet by drawing
BACK and gong througn the motion
or Jabbing MN IN his abdomen.
zone soldier also ran clip or
n cartridges IN his rife and loaded IT,
keeping the muzzie pointing all the
/ OF which was an extremely irving
e experience for Capt. Higgins Intor-
0 nation has been received that Mr.,
@ Thomas has reported MS experience
g TO the British authorities"