A correspondent asked why such a delay ensued between the time of the alleged incident and Monday, whea the protest was filed, the spokesman replied that the Japanese had desired to investigate the case fully and be sure of their facts. He had no m-formation if the Japanese party of eleven had suffered any casualties.
Asked whether the Japanese had, at any time before or after the alleged firing by the s. Whangpu, shot at or in the general direction of the vessel, the spokesman made a positive denial. "Not a single shot was fired by the Japanese at the ship."
The Japanese naval spokesman, questioned regarding the bombing of H.M.S. Sandpiper near Changsha nearly one month ago, particularly if the local discussions between the British and Japanese authorities had been concluded and whether a public statement could be made, replied that discussions were continuing.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.