Evening star., 1937-12-30
Br the Associated Press.

| oN~A~OA~. 0SN. JV-cdRdu, III
note to Britain made public today. de-
clared japanese attacks on the gun
boat Ladybird and other British ships
In China waters were a mistake.
| But to insure against further Incl
dents Japan has dealt properly with
responsible military and naval officers
on the ground that they failed to take
full precautions.
| New orders have been given to jap
anese forces. the note said, for the
greatest possible care that attacks
shall not be made upon the lives and
property Of British or other nationals.
Similar to Panay Explanation.
The note was similar in content 70
the japanese explanation of the at
tack on the American gunboat Panay
and three Standard OIL vessels.
The British foreign Office released
the explanation, in reply to British
protests against such incidents, with
out any comment to indicate whether
it was satisfactory
OF the British request for punish
ment of those responsible, the jap
anese note said that the government: !:
In order to insure against the pos
sibility Of similar mistakes, have dealt
properly according to law with the
commanding and other military Off
GERS concerned, and with the COM
manding and other naval officers Of
the air squadrons responsible, on the
ground they failed to take full pre-
cautions" The disciplinary action
was not detailed.
One Killed December IL.
A British seaman was killed and
two wounded on December IL. when
the Ladybird was shelled at Wuhu.
-Four foreigners were injured fatally in
bombing of the American Panay and
| the Standard Oil vessels, on Decem-
Der II. The British gunboat Bee also
was attacked.
Explanation of the attacks in to-
days note followed closely the jap
anese Army version which the British
government yesterday decided was not
acceptable.
| There was some belief today that
the note from the Japanese foreign
office likewise would be held unsatis-
factory, and that further British
representations would be made.
Released in Toxic.
The foreign Office in Toxic announced
contents of the note, simultaneously
with its release here.
Referring to new strict instruc-
tions" against attacks on third parties
in the Far East, the note observes
that "the japanese government, too,
are studying and expect to give effect
to all possible means OF realizing the
above aims"
For instance" it continues, "after
further full investigation in conjunc-
ton with British authorities Of the
! whereabouts of British resident inter-
ests, they intend at an appropriate
moment to communicate information
| thereof to authorities on the spot and
to subordinate units, while as regards
the methods of making such COM
munications effective, they have given
special consideration to their speedy
and effective Transmission"
Measures Declared Taken.
The note concludes:
1.-The Japanese government have
taken all the measures enumerated
above solely out Of . sincere desire to
render more effective and valid their
guarantee Of rights and interests Of
Great Britain and other third powers.
Il trust, therefore, that these facts
will be fully appreciated by his maj
esty's government"
Foreign Minister Koki Hirota re-
ferred to previous notes In which
promise was made to deal properly
with those responsible for unwarranted
attacks, to pay compensation and to
prevent further attacks.