He strongly. denied charged that Japanese airmen were deliberately aiming at civilian population centres. "It that were the ease the task of rife and property had he aimed the town and not at the fortifications of Kagoshima.
'"Unavoldable Result"
But since the fire and subsequent destruction of the city were. the "unavoidable result" of a military operation engaged in by the fleet, the Attorney-General was said 10 have contended, there was no ques tion of an infringement of international Jaw.
Continuing, the British jurist was said to have pointed out that inas~ much as castles, war vessels and fortifications could not be compelled. to surrender, or be seized without endangering the civilian population, it was impossible {0 prohibit military action against such objectives. Military.action in such cases is permissible ever if it involves the destruction of the town, the Attorney~ General was said to have declared.
In the action against Kagoshima, the British fleet fired 353 shells, practically razing the town and causing extensive loss of civilian life, The same rule of thumb, the spokesman said, should apply to aerial
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