Evening star., 1937-12-19
JAPANESE TO DENY
MACHINE CUNNING.
Toxic Will Reply First to
Second Protest on
Panay Sinking.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Dec. 19 Sunday The
japanese Foreign Office disclosed
today that Japan would reply first to
the second United States protest on
the sinking of the American gunboat
Panay.
Informed sources said the reply
would be complete denial that sur
face vessels attacked the gunboat
after she was bombed by japanese
warplanes in the Yangtze River above
Nsnking last Sunday.
Authoritative sources also indicated
that Japan's second answer, which
would reply to the United States orig
inal representations, would include
iron-bound guarantees from the jap
anese navy against any recurrence of
naval or air bombardments that
might endanger foreign shipping.
Delivery Expected Tomorrow.
It was believed the reply regarding
charges that japanese surface craft
machine-gunned the sinking Panay
would be delivered tomorrow and that
the second answer would be made
later.
United States Ambassador Joseph
c. Grew would make no comment
Everything must come from WASH
ington," he declared, II ar unable to
say anything or divulge anything"
Emperor Gets Panay Details.
Emperor Hirohito was informed
directly and in detail by Premier Prince
Fumimaro Konoye of the situation
growing out of the sinking of the
United States gunboat Panay in
Chinese waters.
The premier went to the palace
from an extraordinary session of the
japanese cabinet called after the
United States presented a second
strong protest against the attack on
the American warship.
TIL detailed report submitted by
Prince Konoye lent weight to the be-
lief the Emperor will issue a statement
replying to personal message from
President Roosevelt which was trans
mitted through diplomatic channels.
Full Details Given First Time.
Although government official said
the Emperor previously had received
the gist of President Roosevelt's memo
randum, today's report was understood
to have been the first time full details
were submitted to the throne.
There were indications struggle
was going on in the innermost gov
ernment circles between the civil and
fighting services. Reliable sources said
the army and navy were insisting
enough already had been done to sat-
isfy the United States.
Foreign Minister Hirota was said
to be waging lone battle to obtain
further concessions in the latest
phase OF the governments effort to
control the fighting services.
All members of the cabinet were
present at the two-hour session at
Premier Prince Fumimaro Konoye's
official residence.
Hasegawa Reported Recalled.
Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa,
commander of the Third Fleet and
chief of naval operations in China,
was reported widely to have been re-
called for transfer to another. post
as result Of the attack on the Panay
by naval planes.
Informed sources said Admiral Hase-
gawa followed his statement assuming
"full responsibility" for the incident
with his resignation which, however,
was not accepted. Other sources said
that Hasegawa already has or soon
will be relieved quietly of his command.
The Japanese Army ofiicially entered
the investigation which until now had
been left to the navy. 1t. Col. Yoshi-
aki Nishi was sent to Shanghai to
inquire independently into the attack
on the Panay.
The war office insisted Col. Nishi
was given no special instructions to
sift charges that Japanese surface
vessels presumably army craft) had
machine-gunned the Panay.
D. l. d. n IN -