Regarding the question of a gua-rentee 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 caus tion in every area where warships and 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 flying force concerned was immediately removed from his post and recalled.
Moreover, he adds, staff members of the fleet and the commander of the flying squadron and all others responsible have been dealt with according to law. The Japanese Government is thus endeavouring to preclude, absolutely, all possibility of a recurrence of similar incidents.
Pointing out that the recall of the commander of the flying force has a significance of special importance, Mr. Hirota concludes: r "My fervent hope is that the fact will be fully appreciated by the United 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 powers."—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.