FINAL REPARATIONS FOR WAR IN EAST

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11046, 21 February 1933, Page 3

FINAL REPARATIONS FOR WAR IN EAST

Japanese Attack Expected Immediately LARGE ARMIES READY. Shanghai, Feb. 20 A message from Tokio says it is announced in the Japanese capital that arrangements have been completed for operations in Jehol to be commenced to-day. Possibly, however, Japan first will formally ask the Nanking Government and Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang to withdraw the Chinese troops from Manchukuo, and suggest as a neutrol zone the Great Wall.

; Reports from Peking state that the atmosphere in that city is tense. Armies totalling 200,000 men await the signal of the Japanese commander,' General Mute, for the commencement of hostilities.

One hundred and fifty thousand Chinese regulars and irregulars fill the Jehol mountains, which constitute formidable natural defences, while 50,000 Japanese, with 100 aeroplanes and many armoured cars, compose the invaders’ force. The commencement of the attack is expected to-night. In the meantime doctors are working hurriedly in Peking preparing' hospitals for the reception of wounded. Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang has transmitted an official message to the Chinese delegation at Geneva for delivery to the League of Nations, announcing his determination to resist the Japanese invasion. He declares that the Chinese Government has endured unspeakable humiliations in its efforts to avoid aggravating the situation in order to assist- the League to arrive at a basis for conciliation.

“Japan has made the specious claim that she invaded'Manchuria in order to sustain her treaty rights,” says Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, “but she has not even that pretext for invading Jehol, as no treaties exist in connection with that province.

“We are now prepared to resist Japan. You will assist us by explaining our position to the League and the Avorld.” A considerable Japanese fleet is now concentrated at Shanghai, and the Japanese concession is surrounded by fortifications bristling with ma-chine-guns. It is expected that the commencement of hostilities will have nationwide repercussions against the Japanese, biit the form they are likely to take in Shanghai is uncertain. The authorities are preparing for any eventuality. STUBBORN FIGHT EXPECTED. Shanghai, Feb. 19 According to Peking messages no internal situation in China since the Boxer rebellion has been more serious than the pending warfare at Jehol. Though Avar has not been declared officially, certainly there is Avar de facto—no longer a difference of* opinion between Chinese and Japanese militarists, but a real waf.

The visit of the Finance Minister, Mr T. V. Soong, to Peking, and his public utterances and exhortations to troops, as well as the raising of a loan of 20,000,000 dollars for providing supplies for the armies resisting Japan, indicate a quiet determination to" sternly face the inevitable. Peking remains calm, but it is realsed that only a few days separates North Chna from a disastrous Avar.

A message from Chengteh, Jehol Province, states that Mr Soong declared to a mass meeting there: "On behalf of the Central Government of China I give yob a pledge that we will never give up the north-east and Ave will never give up Jehol.” The meeting Avas attended by highlyplaced military and civilian leaders. Mr Soong and others have gone to Jehol to complete plans for resisting the threatened Japanese invasion of the province. ' “The enemy may blockade our ports and capture Nanking,” said Mr Soong,“but there will be no one to sign terms of surrender. We can safely rest assured that the eventual victory will be ours but we must steel ourselves to temporary disappointments and adversities. We must show the world that Jehol, like the three Eastern ’provinces, is Chinese territory.”

Japanese Order to Evacuate City. A Chinese official communique reports that the Japanese commander at Tungliao has delivered an ultimatum to the Chinese commander at Kailu, in the north-east comer of Jehol, to evacuate the city immediately or be attacked. '‘The Chinese have ignored the threat. Meanwhile there are further considerable Japanese troop movements in the vicinity of Chinchow, whence a three-way drive is expected to commence. ,

Manchurian reports show that the Japanese preparation are practically complete. General Muto is merely waiting the zero hour to launch an advance. It is estimated that 150,000 Chinese, including volunteers, are massed at strategic points outside the Great Wall, giving every indication that the Chinese will offer the most stubborn fight in this country’s history.