The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-09-24
BY ARTHUR F. DeGREVE
United Press Staff Correspondent

.
United Press Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Sept. "a. CUP
Japan may take advantage of the
United States governments latest
vigorous nrotest against bombing
of non-combatants in China to re-
state to the world her plans and
detectives in the Sino-Japanese
war, it was indicated in diplomatic
circles last night.
This belief was strengthened by
the feeling among state depart
ment officials that no immediate
reply may be expected from Japan
to the blunt American note, made
public Wednesday, in which this
government criticized as unwar-
ranted the bombing of non-com-
batants and non-military property
in the trouble zone and appealed
to Japan to end these activities.
The note made no attempt to
conceal this governments irrita-
tion over Japan's ruthless air raids
and over the dictatorial manner
in which the Nipponese warned
Americans and other foreigners
to evacute Marking in az hours
or face the consequences Of an
aerial attack on the Chinese cap
ital.
1t was the first general note of
protest that Japan has received
from a major world power since
she began her newest invasion of
China. The British government
stoutly complained against the
machine cunning of its ambassa-
dor to China by a Japanese plane
and threatened to withdraw her
ambassador to Tokyo. The Japa-
nese government apologized. The
United States likewise previously
warned the Japanese and the Chi
nese that they would be held finan-
cially accountable for injuries to
American citizens in China and
damage to their property.
Because of this situation, au-
thorities believe Japan will pre-
pare a cautious reply to the Amer
lean note-a reply which may well
guide the future policies of this
government and that of other
world powers toward the Far Eas-
tern clash. 1t was noted that Jap
anese embassy officials fastened
Wednesday to seek to reassure
state department officials that the
Nipponese would continue to limit
their air strafing to combatants
and military establishments in
/ China. ,
But, officials also commented
that the embassy also made 1t
plain that their representation was
not in reply to the latest Ameri-
can note which graphically doubt
ed the ability of japanese military
leaders to protect non-combatants
and foreign property once an
aerial attack is underway.
Diplomatic experts last night
held little hope that the American
note will restrict japanese bomb
ing activities. They pointed out
that fewer than 48 hours after
the note had been handed to the
Japanese foreign minister in To-
kio that Nipponese planes bombed
Canton and caused a loss OF NE
conservatively estimated at 5000.
Also diplomats emphasized that
the state departments reminder
to Japan that she would be held
responsible for American injuries
and property losses did not pre-
vent the bombing of Marking, or
otherwise influence Japan's STRAIT
egy in her undeclared war.
Despite demands for peace So
cieties and some public officials
that the state department invoke
the neutrality act to keep this ma
ton out of the Far Eastern dis
pute, it is recognized here that
this move would not safeguard
American lives or property IN
! China; that it would aid Japan,
which this government is not anX-
ious to do, and that it would have
serious effect upon Americas Far
Eastern policy.
The only effective course open
to the government, it was said, is
to sever diplomatic relations with
Japan-a step which isn't even be-
ing seriously discussed.
/ State department officials last
night declined to comment on re-
ports that France and Great Brl-
tain are considering the POSSIBLE
ity of invoking the nine-power
pact to end the Sino-Japanese
struggle. This treaty would bring
the United States, Belgium, Great
Britain, China, France, Italy, ia
pan, the Netherlands and Portu-
gal about a conference table.
The treaty, which guarantees to
safeguard the integrity of China,
carries no power to act except
through consultation.
Unconfirmed reports circulated
in the capital said Chinese Gen,
eralissimo Chang Kai-shek and
members of his general staff had
fled from Marking by airplane to
the safer town of Nanchang, 30O
miles south Of the capital.
Nanchang was prepared as a
secondary capital for China some
time ago. Chinese embassy Off
Gals said they had received no
confirmation of the report.