GENERAL MATSUI RECALLED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22336, 25 February 1938, Page 13

GENERAL MATSUI RECALLED

RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENTS JAPAN “REGRETS EFFECT ON WORLD OPINION” GENERAL SHUNROKU HATA TAKES COMMAND (UIfITRD PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 24, 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. The Tokyo correspondent of “The Times” says that the recall of General Matsui and his principal divisional commanders from China is partly because of the incidents which embroiled Japan with foreign Powers, staining the army’s record abroad. Imperial Headquarters regrets the effect on world opinion, although the incidents are still not disclosed to the Japanese public. The Tokyo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says General Matsui was recalled because the War Office objected to his demand that he should formulate 1 an independent policy. It is officially stated in Tokyo that tho Emperor’s uncle, LieutenantGeneral Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, and Lieutenant-Genei’al Yanagawa, have been recalled- from Shanghai. General Matsui, who was Com-mander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in China, is on his way back to Tokyo. His successor, General Shunroku Hata, with Major-General Kawaba as Chief of Staff, has taken over command.

No reasons have been given officially for the changes, but it is known that the conservatives have long advocated the recall of Prince Asaka, whom they blame for the Japanese excesses in Nanking. The newspapers hail the trio as heroes, and an Imperial dinner is being arranged in their honour. SOVIET AEROPLANES IN RAID ATTACK ON FORMOSA SIGNIFICANCE “NOT LOST ON JAPANESE” (Received February 24, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 23. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says that a Chinese air raid on Formosa was carried out by 12 Russian aeroplanes. This indicates a development in the Chinese Air Force, the significance of which is not lost on the Japanese. A Shanghai message says that seven Chinese aeroplanes this morning carried the war into Japanese territory by raiding Formosa. They dropped 10 bombs on the aerodrome at Taihoku, the island’s capital. The Japanese admit that property suffered considerably. BRITISH FIRM ROBBED PROTEST AGAINST RAID BY JAPANESE MARINES (Received February 24, 7.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 23. A complaint lodged with the British Consulate by the British firm of Heath, Ltd., alleges that Japanese marines ransacked the firm’s premises, opened safes, and left with a quantity of steel ana general merchandise. Sub-Lieutenant Kushige, C 0 manding the party, informed the police that he was acting under instructions. The firm states that he was told that the premises were British, and that this is the third time that property has been removed. JAPANESE ADVANCE CONTINUES DRIVE ALONG YELLOW RIVER (Received February 24, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. The Tokyo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the Japanese drive on the* north bank of the Yellow river continues. Tsiyuan and Tungliu have both been captured. JAPANESE SEIZE SOVIET VESSEL PROTEST BY RUSSIAN CONSUL TOKYO, February 23. The. Japanese arrested the Russian freighter Kuznetskstnoi, which anchored in a blizzard in the fortified zone at Hakodate. The Russians’ version is that they came for bunker coal. The Soviet Consul has protested against the seizure, but he is not allowed to go on board.