A NEW DANGER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 7

A NEW DANGER.

MANCHURIAN FRONT.

Another Japanese Ultimatum Reported.

DAMAGE TO RAILWAYS.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

SHANGHAI, November 4.

The occupation is reported of Tsitsihar, 350 miles north-west of Kir in, the provisional capital of Hei-lung-Kiang Province, Manchuria, within the Soviet sphere of influence, by Japanese troops.

It is believed this is the outcome of an ultimatum issued yesterday by General Honjo, the Japanese commander. The object is to enable the Japanese to repair certain bridges, as the interruption of the railway traffic is seriously affecting the transportation of seasonable staple products, and causing enormous losses to farmers and to the railway revenue.

The ultimatum notified Japan's intention of affording the repair gangs military protection.

The occupation of Tsitsihar seriously complicates the Manchurian' situation, and increases the prospect of Soviet intervention.

The anti-Japanese boycott throughout China is being intensified. In the interior hundreds of firms and factories have been forced to close, and river shipping business is reduced to a minimum.

LEAGUE CONCERNED. FEAR OF SPREAD OF TROUBLE. LONDON, November 4. The Geneva correspondent of "The Manchester Guardian" says League circles are concerned at the report of the Japanese occupation of Tsitsihar.

If the rumours of movements of Japanese troops into the Russian sphere in Manchuria are true, fears are expressed of a grave extension of the conflict, affecting not only the Far East, but European East Russia, Poland and Germany.