Evening star., 1937-12-27
JAPANESE INSIST
PANAY WAS SUNK
IN FLYERS ERROR
Amicable Settlement Cited
as World Example by
Toxic Spokesman.
INCIDENT WON'T RECUR,
NAVAL OFFICIAL SAYS
Admiral Yamamoto Expresses
Appreciation for Americas
Fair. Just Attitude"
BACKGROUND

Fair. Just Attitude"
BACKGROUND
Sinking OF the United States
ounbodt Pdnay and destruction of
three Standard Oil Co. tankers in
Yangtse Rirer above Marking De-
cember IL created most tense situa-
tton in history OF Japanese -Ameri-
can relations. Japan apologised
promptly and protusely. promising
indemnif fcution and assurances
against recurrence in future. United
States naval board OF inquiry indi-
Gated clearly in report that Japa-
rFse r0rpldneS could not haze
mistaken American ships for Chi
nese.
es the Associa ted Press
TOXIC. Dec. 27.--Japanese gov
eminent officials expressed general
satisfaction today over termination
OF the Panay incident. despite dis
agreement of Japan and the United
States on motives of the japanese
aviators who sank the American gum
boat December H.
The United States must adhere
to the findings of its naval board of
inquiry said a foreign Office spokes-
man. And Japan must adhere to the
findings of its own investigators
Japan forever will insist it (the bomb
ing) was mistake.
Japan could not do otherwise"
In its acceptance of Japans
|, guarantee against further infringe
ment on United States rights. the
State Department said it would
rely on the findings of the Amer
lean naval board of inquiry This
vas taken to mean that the United
States Government does not admit
I the Japanese version that the at
| tack was entirely unintentional.)
Amicable Settlement Stressed.
THE main point is" the Japanese
spokesman asserted. that the case is
settled, and settled amicably. This
demonstrates what two civilized ma
tions can do toward meeting serious
4 problems.
heCCll vCdIe AkO SuCI GTAReQY
would have been followed within few
hours by declaration of war. Japan's
prompt apology and the United States
prompt acceptance of the final note,
plus dispassionate searching for facts
intervening. should set an example to
the whole world"
Vice Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.
Vira noVal YSairicfer az ib,,te
settlement Of the incident to correct
Interpretation of the truth" by the
United States Government.
We heartily appreciate the fair
and just attitude assumed by both the
United States Government and people
despite all sorts of erroneous propa-
ganda.' he said
The Japanese Navy, which was re-
sponsible for the incident. is glad the
affair was settled satisfactorily by
correct Interpretation of the truth by
the United States Government.
Il take this opportunity also to ex-
press gratitude to our Japanese people
who maintained cool attitude
throughout the affair.
THE japanese Navy will do its ut
most to prevent a recurrence of such
incidents. I believe Japan and the
United States have turned a mis-
fortune into blessing"
The United States note accepting
Japan's assurances that there would
be no further attack on American
nationals or property in China was
published in full in the press, but there
was no editorial comment.
Mention in the note that "the
United States relies on the report Of
findings of the court of inquiry of the
United States Navy" (Which estab-
lished that visibility was good and
Japanese planes flew low enough to
have seen the Panay's United States
flags) was not interpreted to the
public as being in disa greement with
the Japanese contention that the
bombing was mistake"
Throughout the entire affair the
Japanese public largely was ignorant
Of the facts of the attack, the reac-
ton in America and the results CT
various inquiries. Only the barest
OCldllS vi Vic llCluclI were KlVen,
Isolation Reaction Stressed.
1 Japanese reports from America
were confined mainly to the reaction
Of the isolationist bloc lit demanded
recall of American ships and ma
n tionals from China and supported
proposed constitutional amendment
requiring a vote Of the people on
declarations Of war;.
Repetitive statements Of officials
that the United States was not con-
sidering moving its fleet to the Far
East also were publicized.
Japan's note Of Decamber "a (as-
serting rigid orders" had been is
sued to avert another such incident)
was printed only in part.
The public generally was able to
infer the seriousness Of the situation in
first accounts Of the bombing, but
was forced to assume it was settled
long before actual settlement because
Of lack Of information.
Guarantees Kept From Public.
The public was not informed that
It's government offered specific guar
antees against recurrence Of the at
tacks and assured the United States
that responsible officers have been
dealt with according to law"
Asked whether other officials, be-
sides Rear Admiral Teizo Mitsunami,
naval aerial operations chief, who was
recalled to Toxic. might be disciplined
over the panay bombing, the foreign
ONCE spokesman said
; 1T is imaginable that some other
people who were responsible may be
recalled to Toxic. but the point is not
clear at the present time"
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