Chinese™ non-combatants. were urged to refrain from approaching Chinese military establishments in Nanking and its vicinity in a warning issued especially to Chinese nationals by Vice-Admiral Kiyoshi. Hasegawa, Commander-in-Chief of the Third Fleet, on Sunday.
The warning to Chinese noncombatants was issued simultaneously with the note directed to foreign diplomatic and consular officials at Nanking.
The warning was as follows,—"The Japanese naval air force may from now on, have to-resort to such offensive measures as it deems necessary upon the Chinese forces as well as all establishments pertaining to their military operations and activities in, and around, the city of Nanking.
"Inasmuch as the Japanese navy wishes to avoid as much as possible the endangering of the lives of Chinese non-combatants during these operations, the latter should not approach military objectives.
"Those who do so, will do it at their own risk. The Japanese Navy cannot in any way assume responsibility for the lives of such Chinese non-combatants who should ignore this warning
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.