TROOPS MASSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 7

TROOPS MASSING.

SHANGHAI ATTACK.

Chiang Says Victory Is In

Sight For China. JAP. ANTI-BRITISH CRUSADE. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 13. Japanese sources confirm the report that thousands of Chinese are massing ill the vicinity of Shanghai in preparation for an attack. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek issued the following message : —"With victory clearly in sight, China is embarking on the last stage of resistance, but the people must make further efforts and bear greater hardships. China is unconquerable. The road to surrender and slavery is unthinkable. The only road is resistance unto victory. Our tremendous resources provide unlimited currency reserves, and the country is otherwise self-sufficient." As part of the precautions, which have so far succeeded, to prevent terrorist celebration o! the second anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities, a rigid curlew was imposed in the International Settlement at Shanghai. All places of amusement were closed down and an additional 2000 international volunteers are under arms. The Japanese are also taking precautions in the occupied areas around the city. Anti-British leaflets were showered on the city from a 'plane, says a later message, following an anti-British procession of 20,000 Japanese who, after a mass meeting, marched to the British Embassy. Terrorist Actions. The explosion of two hand-grenades in front of a Japanese shipping office in the west of Hongkew, the British defence sector, injured nine Chinese, including a constable. Police drew a cordon round the area. British troops are standing bv at Tientsin, where a huge anti-British demonstration is threatened.

At a preliminary meeting of tlie antiBritish congress at Tientsin, committees in North China resolved to expand and intensify the anti-British campaign. They appointed a demonstration day and will publish an anti-British newspaper.

The Japanese military authorities have ordered the immediate cessation of the anti-British campaign, says a message from Hankow.

However, a Japanese aeroplane showered leaflets in the diplomatic quarter in Peking inscribed: "Down with Britain! Exclude the British!" The British residents protested.

ALLEGED BREACH.

Soviet Agreement With Japan

Regarding Sakhalin.

REPRISALS DISCUSSED

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

TOKYO, August 13,

After signature of an agreement whereby Japanese concessionaires in the Soviet territory at Sakhalin are to increase the wages of Russian workers by 15 per cent and provide various amenities, a Foreign Office statement complains that Soviet "undue pressure" is continuing. It is declared that Russia is not supplying sufficient workers and is refusing pt/rmits for Japanese workers, with the result that operations are almost suspended.

A conference of the Ministers of War, the Navy, Foreign Affairs and Commerce discussed reprisals.