THE LAST PHASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 31, 7 February 1933, Page 7

THE LAST PHASE.

JAPAN'S CONQUEST.

STAGE SET FOR WAR.

Entire Military Machine Moves

Against Jehol.

CHINESE IN STRONG FORCE,

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

(Received 9.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, February 6. The stage is rapidly being prepared for what Japan confidently hopes will be the last phase of the conquest of Manchuria. The activities of the whole military machine are being directed towards Jehol, a Japanese spokesman stated. All hopes of a peaceful settlement of the issue have been abandoned since the Chinese are massing troops at Jehol.

MAP showing position of Jehol, against which it is indicated the Japanese will direct their attack. Foreign reports state that approximately 70,000 Japanese regulars are concentrated at various points between Mukden and Chincliow, apart from those stationed at Shauhaikwan. The same source estimates that there are 100,000 Chinese troops at Jehol, while there are 47,000 regulars in the Shauhaikwan area.

FATEFUL DECISION.

Non-Recognition of Manchukuo Recommended.

league committee finding.

(Received 10.30 a.m.) GENEVA, February 6,

The drafting committee 'of the Committee of Nineteen has made considerable progress in preparing the fateful recommendations on the Sino-Japanese dispute over Manchuria. It has unanimously agreed on the non-recognition of Manchukuo, and has decided to communicate its recommendations to neighbouring States and to the signatories of the Nine-Power Pact with a view to their co-operation.

NOT ACCEPTABLE.

sar Japanese Proposals for

Conciliation.

LEAGUE STATEMENT,

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, February 6,

The Committee of Nineteen of the League Assembly decided on Saturday to request the Secretary-General, Sir Eric Drummond, to inform the Japanese delegation that its Government's latest proposals are unsuitable as a basis for settlement of the Manchiirian dispute by conciliation. The procedure Tor conciliation remains in force until the Assembly adopts the report under paragraph 4 of Article XV. of the League Covenant, but meanwhile ' the drafting of that report is proceeding, and it is expected it will be ready within a comparatively short time, after which the Assembly will at once be convoked. The drafting recommendations to accompany the report _ were under consideration by the Committee of Nineteen this morning.

ADHERE TO COVENANT.

JAPAN TAKEN TO TASK,

LONDON, February 6.

"The Times," in an editorial article on the Sino-Japanese dispute now before the League of Nations, says: "There is no indication that the Japanese are conceding the points which throughout they have declared to be essential. Unless some scarcely conceivable eleventh-hour change occurs there is no ground for the suspicion that Britain will not adhere to the Covenant of the League. She will do. nothing-to weaken the League's prestige.

"The League, which is not a superState, has done all that is possible. It never lißd the power to coerce a Japan determined to follow lier own course. Conciliation has failed and now it is for the Assembly to make recommendations for a settlement. There is no reason why the Assembly's report should compel Japan's withdrawal from the League, but if the machinery for the preservation of peace is to be safeguarded the Covenant must be upheld at all hazards."