The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-12-15
MORE. CENTRAL.
CONTROL MAY.
CURB JAP GUNS.
Hint Given Out at Tokyo
as Apology Made
in Bombings
By n. o. THOMPSON

TON o, Dec. 10. lOl) 49, III
japanese government extended
sincere apologies" to the United
States yesterday for the sinking
of the American Gunboat Panay
and attacks ON three American
Merchant ships.
Ambassador Joseph G.. Grew re-
ccivcd the four-point apology,
which promised decentralization
and safeguards against rccur-
renee. as he was seeking an APP
Dointmcnt with Foreign Minister
Koki Hirota to deliver a note of
protest which had just arrived
from Washington.
Meantime Informed Tokyo
sources report that Il Strictcr
central control over the japanese
army and navy may result from
the Panay and other incidents.
The Japanese apology came
with speed unprecedented in SINH
lar Incidents of the ChincSc-Japa-
ncsc conflict. British protests in
particular have been followed by
delays Of "official investigation"
Quick response in this instance
indicated desire of the japanese
indicated il desire of the Japanese
government to take the first step
toward settlement.
Hirota'S note to the British
ambassador, Sir Robt l.. Craigic.
was delivered shortly after mid
night and while its text was UNI
revealed Immediately" it was re-
ported reliably that II contained
an apology for the attack on the
British gunboat Ladybmd cOuched
in terms similar to those in the
note on the Panay.
The Japanese note on the
PanaV:
/. Reiterated informal apologies
for sinking Of the Gunboat Panay
and the attack on three standard
oil ships:
,. Promised decentralization for
losses.
3. Assured the United States
that the japanese aviatorS rcSpon-
sihlc would be punished.
/. Promised safeguards against
recurrence Of such attacks.
II was apparent that, while at
tackS on -four British @unboats
and two British tugs had occurred
at the same time as the attacks on
American vessels, the Japanese
considered the American phase of
the incident more serious.
Reports that President Roosc-
welt might seek direct apology for
Emperor Hmohito were consider
ed Of extremely grave import in
view Of the Japanese cmprror's
extraordinary position as one who
is not head of the government
but superior to II.
The apology came a. Tokyo
and Yokohama celebrated with
victory paadcS the fal lof Nam
king.
Hirota's note to Grew reviewed
details of the sinking Of the Panay
and the other vessels.
while it is clear in the light
Of the above circumstances the
note said. that the present Incl
dent is entirely due to Il mistake
the japanese government regret
most profoundly that it has cauS.
ed damages to Il United States
man-o' war and ships and casual,
ties among those on board and de-
sire to present hereby sincere
apologies,
The Japanese government vii.
make decentralization for al
| losses and deal appropriately with
those responsible for the Incl
dent. Furthermore, they have al,
ready issued strict orders to au'
thoriticS on the spot with a view
to preventing recurrence of SINH
lar incidents.
The Japanese government, in
the fcrvcnt hope that friendly re-
lationS between Japan and the
United States will not be affected
by this most unfortunate affair
have frankly stated as above
their sincere attitude which | beg
your eXccllcncy to make known to
your government"
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