WAR IN FAR EAST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 23, 7 November 1938, Page 5

WAR IN FAR EAST.

CHINESE CLAIM SUCCESSES. RECAPTURE OF SAMSHUL (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) SHANGHAI, November 6. It is reported from Chungking that the Chinese claim the recapture of Samshuit, near Canton, where 250,000 Kwangsi troops surrounded the city under Marshal Chiaiig Kai-Shek’s personal direction. The Japanese retired to Fushong. The Chinese repulsed a Japanese attack on Man Ling-chiao, but elsewhere the Japanese are steadily advancing. Despite British and American requests, the Japanese refused to feed 13,000 Chinese refugees. The Japanese captured Tusngyang, which is a keypoint.

BOMB IN A BEER HALL. BRITISH SOLDIERS INJURED. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) SHANGHAI, November 6. Three Seaforth Highlanders and three Royal Marines from H.M.S. Birmingham were injured in the explosion of a bomb in a beer hall.

UNITED STATES AND JAPAN. NINE-POWER TREATY UPHELD. WASHINGTON, November 4. Breaking his silence on Japan’s recent pronouncements, the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) declared: “The United States stands by its treaties, and stands for international law and fair play.” He added: “America’s position is understood.” The statement is taken as a reply to the Japanese suggestion that the NinePower Treaty should be denounced. The treaty cannot be terminated without the consent of all its signatories. Mr Hull made it clear that the United States will not accept the proposition that Japan can terminate it merely by tearing it up. Official circles in Washington debate whether Britain will back up the United States or whether, as in the case of the protests regarding Manchuria, she will let America stand alone. Mr Hull, was non-committal when asked about reports that, the United States was approaching other Governments with a view to denouncing their commercial treaties with Japan. It is rumoured that the United States will denounce the 1911 Treaty if the reply to the American Note sent on October 6 is unsatisfactory. JAPAN’S POLICY STATED. •——■ , THR EE-POWER MUTUA L GUARANTEE.

LONDON, Nov. 4. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman admitted that the Government is considering a Three-Power pact Japan, Munchukuo, China —tor a mutual guarantee of integrity, replacing the Nine-Power Treaty. Discussing the future of the Japanese in China, the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) emphasises Japan’s eager desire to recognise Chinese racial sentiment and, protect China’s national independence. He wishes China would awake and realise her past mistakes, says a Press Association cable message. Hitherto, China had been sacrificed to the Imperialistic ambitions ot other Powers. Japan recognises the need of a fundamental change in that respect and wishes to establish peace and order, based on justice. Japan will not reject the Powers’ co-operation if they adopt a policy suitable to the new conditions, and does not intend to damage their legitimate interests. It is idle to think that the fall of Canton and Hankow presages an early peace. Japan is facing the construction of a new East Asia. In this sense, the true war is just beginning. The "Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that what is considered to be a reply to Japan’s ex parte statement on her Asiatic policy is seen in the State Department’s reports on the Brussels Nine-Power Conference of 1937, which was issued to-day. In. it Mr Norman Davis portrayed Japan as a Government which is unwilling to resort to conciliation. He reasserts the validity of the NinePower Treaty for safeguarding China, and repeats that any settlement ultimately reached between China and Japan must be consistent with the treaty and satisfactory to the interested Powers.