Tokyo, Dec. 31.
Satisfaction with the tone of the British Note acknowledging the Japaese reply to the British protest on the attacks on British ships in the Yangtze on December 12 was expressed to-day by the spokesman of the Foreign Office.
"It is indeed deeply to be deplored," he said, "that these unfortunate incidents occurred, but it is a matter for congratulation that they have been settled amicably through. the traditional spirit of friendship between Britain and Japan, supported by the cum and sincere attitude adopted by both countries in. conneelion with the matter, search for the attackers. combing all houses, roads and alleyways in the vicinity. In they confusion which followed the bursting of the two grenades, however, the attackers had been able to slip away through the crowds, and all efforts to trace them met with failure. The Reserve Unit stood by at Hankow Road as the police carried out their search for the persons responsible for the attack.
An escort of Japanese troops quickly arrived on the scene to es-Cart the party back to barracks, while the wounded soldiers, and Chinese were taken by Fire Brigade Ambulances to the Lester Chinese Hospital for treatment. The four soldiers were removed about an hour and a half later by ambulance to a Japanese hospital in Hongkew. Only one was stated to be seriously wounded, and he is expected to recover.
The text of the British Note, which Japanese Fire was sent to the Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota, by the British Ambas-suder, Sir Robert (Craigie, was released for publication to-day:
His Majesty's Government, the Note declares, have noted with appreciation the assurances given in connection with the attacks on British warships and merchant shipping on December 12, and have learned with satisfaction that the statements contained in your Note of December 14 apply to the merchants vessels concerned as well as to the warships,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.