Regarding the question of a gua ranted against a recurrence of an incident of this nature, the Foreign Minister declares. that the Japanese Navy, without delay, issued strict orders "to exercise the greatest can tion in every area where warships Jand other vessels of America or any other third Power are present, in order to avoid a recurrence of a similar mistake, even at the sacrifice of strategic advantage in attacking Chiese troops"
Although the attack on the American vessels was due to a mistake Mr. Hirota says, the commander, of the fying force' concerned was immediately removed from his post and recalled.
Moreover, he adds, stair members of the fleet and the commander of the flying squadron and all others responsible have been dealt with according to law. The Japanese Gov-fernment is thus endeavouring to preclude, absolutely, all possibility of 'a recurrence of similar incidents.
Pointing out that the recall of the commander of the fying force has a significance of special importance, Mr. Hirota concludes:
"My fervent hope is that the fact will "be fully appreciated by the Gnited States Government that this drastic step has been taken solely from a sincere desire on the part of the Japanese Government to safeguard the rights and interests of the United States and other third
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.