With regard to the attacks made by mistake upon the British gunboat Ladybird and other British merchant vessels on December 12 at Wuhu and in the vicinity of Nanking, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Koki Hirota, in a note dated December 14th addressed to His Excellency the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie extended profound apologies on behalf of the Japanese Government. On December 16th, the British Ambassador delivered a note concerning the matter to the Foreign Minister, to which the latter handed a reply to the British Ambassador on December 28th.
The contents of the above-mentioned notes have already been made public.
On the morning of December 31st, the British Ambassador sent a final note to the Foreign Minister informing the latter that the
British Government notes with appreciation the assurances contained in the Japanese note of December 28th and has learnt with satisfaction that the statements of the Japanese note of December 14th apply to merchant vessels as well as to warships and also that the Japanese Government has taken or is prepared to take the necessary disciplinary measures to prevent any repetition of such incidents.
It is deeply to be deplored that these unfortunate incidents occurred but it is at the same time a matter of congratulation that they should have been settled amicably through the traditional spirit of friendship existing between Great Britain and Japan, supported by the attitude of calm and the sincerity which prevailed in both countries in connection with this matter.