WAR IN CHINA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18195, 4 October 1924, Page 14

WAR IN CHINA.

! . ♦ "LARGELY UNDEFENDABLE." TROOPS STRIKE FOR HIGHER PAY. I'SIDHBT "SrH" SXRTICX.) PEKING. October 2. A Mukdon message claims that private communications, smuggled through tho Peking censorship, state that tho Chihii army is largely undependable. Many units are refusing to approach tlie front until they are paid arrears, and some in the Je'nol area are reported to be practically striking for higher pay. The communications indicate that many citizens in Peking are in a state of panic, and are fearing the collapse of General Wu Pei-fu, and the looting of the city. The withdrawal of Chang's troops from Hc-ilung Chiang for war service i 3 encouraging banditry on a large scale'. A clash occurred at Tai Ping Chuan, in which the Chihlites were driven back, leaving 100 dead. The Chihlites fled southwards. Another clash occurred near Hsiumiao, where a number of Chihlites was killed and 100 captured. Both towns are in the Chien Ping district. JAPAN'S INTERESTS. EYES ON MANCHURIA. NO INTERVENTION IN CHINA. (ATTSTEALIAr AND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) TOKYO, October 2. Interviewed by party representatives, Baron Shidchara (Minister of Foreign Affairs) reiterated the Government's declared policy in regard to China, asserting that Japan had no other course. In view of her agreements with the Powers, she must absolutely refrain from intervention, as she expected a similar policy from others. He stated that non-intervention would not mean neglect of Japan's vital interests in Manchuria and Mongolia, which the Government was closely watching. SHANGHAI, October 2. Reference to Japan's interests in Manchuria is contained in the following .statement by Mr Yoshizawa, Japanese Minister at Peking, in the course of an interview: — "Japan's principle is the maintaining of strict neutrality in China, but it must bo remembered that she has important rights and interests in Manchuria which are greatly different *from those she has in other parts of China. This is the point *Vhich it is hoped will be kept fully in mind both by China and by foreign Powers." After mentioning that there had been two or three bandit cases in the interior of Manchuria as a result of the withdrawal of General'Chang Tso-lin's troops to the front, Mr Yoshizawa continued: "Taking into consideration the fact that General JVu Pei-fu will shortly proceed to the front, it may be inferred that the main fighting will oceur soon. It is expected that the practical issue regarding Japan's special relations with China will arise after the entry of the Chihii troops into Manchuria. For this reason Japan is attaching much importance to the development of the war situation. Should the Mukden troops be defeated, and in the event of tho Chihlites entering Manchuria in pursuit, an issue such as I have referred to would undoubtedly arise.'' JAPAN BUYS WHEAT. HEAVY ORDERS IN AUSTRALIA. . (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. CABLE A8&0CIATIOW.) SYDNEY, October 3. Japan is seeking to place extensive orders on the wheat market, arid' is prepared to take many thousands of tons. The "Daily Telegraph" says that the Japanese orders received yesterday were of a size which did not allow them being completely entertained. - What the trade is wondering is: What is at the back of this exceptional demand from th<i East? The idea is prevalent that' the cause might be ;found in Japan's threat to intervene in the Chinese trouble..