The Jepanese authorities have again drawn attention to the position of Nantao and suggest that, os that area is being used. for. military activities it may have to receive further visits from the air. This warning deserves considera-lon. "Any. thought. of aerial action over a populous ity is highly disturbing and~parti-Jcalarly when so exposed a situation as that of [Nantao is in question, hardened though Shanghat by this time isto the implications of modern Jwarfare. "The. Japanese statement has been, [Sdmiltodly-made in the interests of human {arian principles. It has been expressly asserted bby the Japanese authorities that they do not [desire to involve civilians In the horrors of war from the air. It might be desirable for the [Chinese officiate who are responsible for Nantao's security to. examine the possibility of giving the Japanese such assurances as would com= pletely" establish what it is understood ts the [Chinese contention that Nantao is. not being fused for allitary purposes. Prompt action of {that kind would have the advantage of minister ing to the Japanese desire to avoid doing harm to civilians; if that result was not achieved it would at least show that the responsible Chinese [authorities had taken appropriate measures to remove all excuse for bombing a highly con [gested urban area.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.