"Washington accepted Tokyo's apology at face value, and we think wisely so," the paper commented. "Whether the Panay bombing was an accident is relatively unimportant. What is important is Japan's apparently sincere desire to make all possible amends. She disavowed the madmen who sank the American gunboat and has taken steps to punish them. She also has ordered her other troops not to make any similar blunder again."
Other New York afternoon papers also generally welcomed the closing of the Panay incident, i "Millions of Americans, and no doubt millions of Japanese, to-day breathe a sigh of relief," the "Post" commented. Both sides may be right regarding the remaining point of) difference between the two Governments, the paper said, Tokyo, Dec, 28.
The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota, reported to the Emperor to-day. It was understood he mentioned the settlement of the Panay incident and negotiations on the Ladybird incident, both of which had previously been discussed by the Cabinet.—United Pre:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.