ULTIMATUM TO CHINA FROM JAPANESE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 275, 20 November 1935, Page 7

ULTIMATUM TO CHINA FROM JAPANESE.

NORTH PROVINCES. Invasion Threatened in Event of Refusal. AUTONOMY DEMANDED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, November 19. Reliable sources confirm the delivery of a Japanese ultimatum, to be answered by November 20, insisting that the Chinese authorities declare autonomy for the five northern provinces. Failing agreement, an armed invasion will be conducted. A favourable reply is believed to be certain from local officials, acting on their own initiative. Failing a plan from Peking, it is expected that an Autonomy Council will shortly be established. The Tokyo correspondent of "The Times" says North China will separate from the Nanking Government within a week, according to Japanese correspondents, who state that live provinces are expected to sign a declaration of independence. The Japanese Foreign Office views benignly the Chinese movement, which is assuming the appearance of a revolt against an oppressive Government under Chinese generals. One of the chief aims of the new bloc will be co-operation with the Japanese Army in checking the Communists' advance. The "Daily Telegraph" Peking correspondent mentions Chahar, Shansi, Chihli and Shantung as four of the provinces which arc to be detached from Nanking to form an autonomous Administration. This is the result of a conference between Chinese leaders in which General Chih Yuan, Governor of Chahar, was the most prominent.. The "News-Chronicle" Peking correspondent says the movement means that Japan will control the whole of North China with its population of 100,000,000. Serious Developments Inevitable.

The Peking correspondent of "The Times" says serious developments are believed to bo inevitable owing to Major-General Doihara pressing General Chili Yuan in connection with the proposed new regime The Japanese Army is holding 12 troop trains, two armoured trains, cavalry, tanks and artillery in readiness at Shanhaikwan, and Japanese engineers at Mukden, Manchukuo, are reported to be awaiting orders. Also, 25 troop trains are concentrated at Chiuchow, in the Shansi province Japanese circles are professing concern regarding the troops the Nanking Government is reported to be moving in Honan and Kiangsu. The "Daily Telegraph" Tokyo correspondent says the Japanese War Office states that, in spite of Nanking's hostility to Chili Yuan, war is unlikely to develop. Japan is determined to insist upon the fulfilment of the terms of the truce which ended the earlier Chinese conflict, under which all troops hostile to Japan or Manchukuo must be kept out of the Peking region