RISING TENSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 8

RISING TENSION.

FORCES IN TIENTSIN.

Fears Of Further Trouble !■

Shanghai Allayed.

POPULATION'S VAST REttSF.

United Press Association.—-Copyright

(Received 11 a.m.)

?sEW YORK, September K t

A message from Shanghai savs reinforced British trOops are facittg thfc Japanese at Tientsin sinee a British refusal to surrender two alleged I Chinese anti-Japanese terrorists. "5

Fears of heightened tension it Shanghai as a result of a conference of British, French, Italian and American defence commanders called for this mornihg by the Japanese naval commander were allayed when the Japanese suggestions Were announced.

It was conjectured that the Japanesfe would present new demands, possibly . coupled with a time limit, for the dis-.S arming or departure of the British and | French forces from the International Settlement and the French C-oncessidfij . says the Shanghai correspondent At the "Xew York Times."

To the Vast relief of the ilitefliatiolia! population tlie Japanese did not bring up the question of evacttatidll or disarmament of forces. Instead they mildly suggested that the time hid arrived to revise international plans for defence. contending that this was necessary in view of changed conditions.

The upshot of a protracted session was a decision of the chiefs of staff to meet at an unstated date to devise revisions for submission to the commanders for approval.

It is currently believed that the announcement by the United States Secretary of IState. Mr. Cordell Hull, of American determination to resist further abrogation of rights and interests in China caused a last-minute change in the Japanese proposals.

It has just been revealed that when the Japanese first proposed the withdrawal of the British and Freticll forces from Shanghai, they offered W guarantee the inviolability of ttt defence sectors round the foreign areas, even although they were manned only by policemen.