Evening star., 1937-12-18
Inadequate Amends.

Nearly three days have elapsed since
submission of the United States formal
protest against the sinking of the Panay.
Japans reply is still lacking. On the
ground that an apology was made before
the American note was delivered, that
overworked functionary famed as the
Toxic foreign Office spokesman suggests
that the government may even refrain
from direct response
While Prime Minister Konoye and
Foreign Minister Hirota await orders
from the generals and admirals now in
supreme command of Japan's destinies
at recently established Imperial head
quarters Toxic may as we'll realize that
Its grudging tactics are not easing a sit
uation already tensely grave. Delay and
subterfuge coincide with stream of in
formation pouring into Washington to
the effect that the Panay and her sur
vivors, after the gunboat was bombed,
were subjected to ruthless machine gun
fire from Japanese Army detachments
in launches on the Yangtze and along
the river bank. Toxic officials deny
these allegations. but the bulk of evi-
dence, supplied, among others, by Ad-
miral Yarnell, is that not only was the
bombing a deliberate act, but that sur
vivors were in fact mercilessly attacked
as they tried to reach safety ashore.
Feeling here justifiably runs high over
eircumstantial reports of this fright
fulness," and it mounts with every hour
Of japanese refusal to meet the funda-
mental issue squarely and fully. Ameri-
cans are forced to conclude that there may
be more than airy persihage in the re-
mark OF the foreign Office ..ventriloquist,
who "jokes" that it may be "a hundred
years" before the japanese Navy sup
plies report on the Panay.
For nearly week now lachrymose
apologetics, laments and excuses have
rained out of Japan in torrential volume.
We hear that Rear Admiral Mitsunami,
chief OF air forces. has been recalled"
as the officer directly responsible for the
attack. There are reports that Vice Ad-
miral Hasegawa, ranking naval COM
mander in China, insists upon resign
ing" and accepting principal blame.
Japanese bluejackets will fire salute
at the spot where the Panay's victims
were killed and where the gunboat sank
with flags flying. Japanese sailors at
Shanghai are collecting 5000 yen 01, ,45O
to be given to the United States Navy.
Toxic citizens of high and low degree
accost anybody who looks like an Ameri-
can and shower him with sympathy and
regrets.
AL this is magnificent, but it is in
adequate. 1t completely ignores Presi-
dent Roosevelts purposeful request"
that Emperor Hirohito be advised" of
Americas shock and concern" re-
quest that only thinly wells the expec-
tation that the Son of Heaven, however
remote from mundane affairs of state
tradition keeps him, will move to satisfy
the United States demands. Paramount
among those demands are guarantees
against future Panays. As government
IN Japan is constituted no one but the
Emperor is in position TO furnish such
guarantees. Pledges from any other
quarter than the supreme source of all
authority, especially naval and military,
are worthless.
1t is not quite two years since Japa-
nese military and naval zealots INDUCED
in an orgy of assassination that amounted
to revolt against the throne. Is the delay
in giving America satisfaction for the
wanton affront to her nationals and her
flag due to the unwillingness of the
army and navy to permit the throne to
curb their power? Will they brook no
interference with their program to throw
Westerners out of the Far East after
first showing the Chinese that in Japan's
eyes both Britons and Americans are
contemplate, as well as powerless?
-<-&N~S-