WORLD OPINION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1932, Page 7

WORLD OPINION.

GRAVE CONCERN. Eastern Unrest Serious Blow To Peace Prospects. PROTESTS TO JAPAN. (United F.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 31. Britain and the United States have formally protested to Japan against the occupation of Shanghai. Renewed assurances that Japan will scrupulously respect the integrity of the International Settlement at Shanghai have been received by the United States Government from Tokyo. Confusion arose later out of dispatches stating that the Chinese military authorities had warned foreign officials that | unless the latter used their influence to end the Japanese occupation the Chinese would be forced to attack the International Settlement. The President, Mr. Hoover, met the Cabinet at a lengthy session, after which, according to the Associated Press, "it seemed evident that there was a lack of unanimity regarding America's course, but the Ministers kept what happened to themselves." Later, however, the Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stimson, stated that he had consulted with Sir Ronald Lindsay, British Ambassador, concerning the making of representations to Japan. The United States, had communicated with Japan and had just received an assurance that international rights and interests at Shanghai would not be interfered with. Mr. Stimson said he had been informed that Britain also had made representations to Japan, and that Britain and the United States now were informally communicating tlio facts to Franco and Italy. No other proposals for international action had been made by the United States Government. It is authoritatively stated that the French Government no doubt will join in any collective demonstration in China which the Powers undertake. France is opposed to isolated action, but it is emphasised that the French concession is not menaced like the International Settlement. The Prime Minister of. Italy, Signor Mussolini, is closely following the developments in China, as his daughter is married to the Italian Consul-General at Shanghai. Owing to Italy's desire to maintain her trade with China and Japan she will support any proposal which promisee to restore peace. The German "Vossissclic Zeitung," commenting on the situation in the Far East says: "It is shameful and grotesque for the Japanese and Chinese delegates to meet at Geneva to discuss disarmament when their soldiers are waging, a bloody war at Shanghai." The "Berliner Tageblatt" says: "If the Powers which are indulging in highsounding phrases at Geneva about world peace remain inactive, world peace will become a dead letter."

N.Z. NAVAL BOARD. EARLIER MEETING CONVENED. The Naval Board of New Zealand is meeting this week in Wellington, earlier than usual. Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Blake left Auckland last evening by the Limited in order to be present. It is not known whether the earlier meeting has any connection with events at Shanghai, but naturally the man in the street is inclined to couple the two. The only unit of the' New Zealand Division of the Navy that would be likely to be sent north is the cruiser Diomede. In view of the strength of the fleet on the China station it is not thought likely that there will be any call for the I3ioinede. The "Star's" Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the Naval Board's meeting is routine and has no present significance.