The report that the Japanese authorities in Shanghai have expressed regret to the British Acting Consul-General is considered gratifying, but it is pointed out that Great Britain has already warned the Chinese and Japanese Governments that they will be held responsible for damage to British lives and property occasioned by fighting.
Although it is admitted that the Ambassador was only struck through mischance, the wanton bombing of a civilian motor car when a state of war has not even been declared 1s deemed open to severe reproach.
The news of the attack, which reached London in the middle of the forenoon, deeply shocked public opinion.
The early editions of the evening papers contained few details, as messages from China were incomplete and conflicting. The public soon realized there was no question of deliberate firing upon the British rty. but the incident was stated to occurred fifty miles from the scene of disorders between the Japanese and Chinese forces at Shanghai on the main road from Nanking.
As no state of war exists between the Chinese and Japanese Governments, the people found it impossible to understand what appeared to be indiscriminate attacks upon traffic on a great highway.
Lady Knatchbull-Hugessen, her two daughters, is believed to have Geen on holiday at Peitaiho, where the British authorities immediately tried to in touch with her—
Reuter
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.