"Mr. Allison arrived in Nanking on January, (went on the spokesman), Mr. Okimura acted as inter-prefer for a Japanese high staff officer in conversation with Mr. Allison. At that time, it was brought to the attention of Mr. Allison that in view of the fact that Nanking was under Japanese military occupation, there were several prohibited areas in Nanking even within the city walls, also in view of military necessity it would be advisable io have Mr. Allison escorted by a Japanese military official whenever he went out of the Embassy compound. When informed of this, Mr. Allison replied 'All right.' This practice. the Embassy spokesman presumes, has been continued ever since."
"Mr. Allison (said a correspondent) has had occasion to protest to the Japanese military authorities against the illegal entry of Japanese soldiers on American property, discourtesies to the flag and so on, but it seems that by his protests he has drawn the wrath of the Japanese army. I asked for instances, but you have cited only one—It was not his refusal, but the offensive language in Japanese,"
"What did he say that was so offensive?—'Baka, which means imcecile, and no military police officer will tolerate that."
"Imbecile"
"The officer was called 'Imbecile' and that is the basis for all this criticism?—We regret we are not at liberty to give further details at this time, here."
Why did a staff officer later apologize if Mr. Allison was so much at fault?—The apology was merely for the fact that the sentry had slapped Mr. Allison. It apparently referred only to the slapping."
Asked why Mr. Allison should be trying to inspect a Chinese house, the spokesman said:—"There was a case of investigation for assault and as the persons assaulted were living in a building connected with Ginling College, Mr. Allison was taking part in this investigation, The investigation, however, shifted from the home of the victim to the alleged building where the assault took place and this was the Chinese house mentioned before."
Asked if it were true that Mr. Allison's presence was not wanted in the further course of the investigation, the. spokesman said:—""The building in question was being used for quarters by Japanese forces and consequently foreigners and foreign officials were not admitted. The military police accompanying Mr. Allison explained to him and the other American that their entry was not wanted and that they would not be allowed to enter. This discussion took thirty minutes, whereupon Mr. Allison agreed, or at least appeared to agree, not to enter.
"When the door was opened, however, he and his American companion rushed in. This is why they were stopped. The sentry said in English, Back! several times. Because Mr. Allison and his companion did not go back, the sentry slapped both their faces." A "Conceding that what you say is cor feet, is any punishment given to According to a report by Mr. Grew to the State Department, after consideration of the Note by the Japanese Cabinet, a high ranking officer of the Japanese Army was ordered by ihe War Office to proceed to Nanking to investigate and adopt the necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of such acts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.