WAR FEARS REVIVED IN THE FAR EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 9

WAR FEARS REVIVED IN THE FAR EAST.

CHINA MOBILISING. Huge Forces Guarding Rail System. BRITISH AND EVACUATION. United Press Association.—CopjTigiit. (Received 12.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, October 2. Fears of a Sino-Japanese war have again been intensified. The Nanking Government is reported to be mobilising huge forces. Over 70,000 soldiers are guarding the Nanking-Hangchow-Shanghai rail system. Japanese marines have virtually occupied Hongkew. British naval authorities are preparing to evacuate British women and children from Yangtse ports in case of emergency, and a Japanese blockade of these ports is feared. The serious impasse in the SinoJapanese negotiations and the firmness of China towards the Japanese demands have thrown Japanese diplomatic quarters into consternation, and they are now pessimistic of the success of the discussions. A renewed exodus of Chinese from Hongkew and Cliapei has followed the The death sentence, on two Chinese on a charge of shooting a Japanese marine at Hongkew in November, 1935, caused satisfaction in Japanese circles but has not lessened the tension. The Japanese Consul at Changslia, alleging that the Chinese police are hushing up an alleged attempt to blow up his residence, is protesting to the Hunan Government.