shanghai, Aug. 18.
'A denial that the Japanese military aeroplanes, which took part in two aids on Ichang on August 6, bombed fond. destroyed two ships belonging to the Indo-China Steam Navigation Ca. and also severely damaged properly owned by the Asiatic Petro-Toum Ca, has been sent to Sir Herbert Phillips, HM, Consul-General in Shanghai, for transmission. to. the British Consul-General at Hankow, by Mr, ¥. Mllura, Japanese Consul-General in Shanghai, it was revealed at the press' conference yesterday.
'The lott, it was stated, hed been despatched following investigations by the Japanese army authorities after {wo protests had. been lodged by Rear-Admiral R. V. Holt, Rear~ 'Admical, Yangtze, on the same day fae the" bombing' occurred, During the bombing, reports from Tchang stated, Mr, HI, G. Denyer, chief eer of the 83, Hsinchangwo, which With the s, Klowo, wis later burnt to the water line after being hit by a bomb, was wounded, two Chinese members of the crew were killed and" three wounded. rhe letter was, ab follows:—"Bir and dear Colleague, With reference to the felters of the Acting British ConsulcGeneral at Hankow ildresed. to. the. Japanese Consul-Generar there, Under dates of AUgUSt Sand 7, 1999, concerning the damage tiloged!y "sustained. by. the "British properties and vessels in the course Brthe. sort. bombardment. carried Sut by units ofthe Japanese Ait forees on August 6 at fe hang, 1 have {hovThonour. fo communieata' to you the result of the investigations made eu. This' communication ly being the Japanese authorities, concerns
fide to you for the sake of expedi= Shey: and' {shall be grateful if you Gul ye good enough to communicate to. Your Colleague at Hankow, although, T have, on my. part. t00, ironamited this "information to, my Colleague over. there, "The. contents the above Ieters were transmitted Syme to the Miltary Madquarters, Wha immediately sent forthe sat Umeors of the alf squadron and other Shleers who shared the command the sold ale roid, in order 10 carry GUL a clothed Investigation, andthe exult thereof in to the following Units of the Japanese Miltary Air rerees sacked Tehung on ANENST 30. Upon the basis of the infor Us" them various sources and. from photographie reconnoissance it Was Enirmed that s considerable amount arms and. ammunitions and other fnuitary supplies had been aecumulatthe Chinese forces near Pao-ta-fo,"aoout 4 kilometres southeast of have been that some dud-bombs Ionded in the open area on the south: fast of the Installation which could for consequently be witnessed by the Aviators nor be Fecorded in the photo-Graphs. However, it might be pos Sie that, a8: three bombs landed. ihe" neighbourhood of' the yesso! Moored near the southeast corner of ihe said installation az shown in the Dhotograph, some of the crew of the Fouel wore wounded bythe cone cussion or fragments of the bombs Four' copies. of aerial. photographs are enclosed. herein).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.