PEACE OFFER TO CHINA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22591, 22 December 1938, Page 9

PEACE OFFER TO CHINA

TERMS STATED BY JAPANESE

RESTORATION OF MINING AREAS

KAI-SHEK TO TAKE BRIEF HOLIDAY

{TTJTITXD PKXS9 A.SSOCXA.TIOX COPTUIOXT.) (Received December 21, 1.5 p.m.)

LONDON, December 20.

The Hong K/mg correspondent of "The Times" states that Chinese sources report that General Doihara has offered peace terms to the Chinese on the following conditions: That China recognises the independence of Manchukuo and Inner Mongolia, and joins the anti-Comin-tern Pact.

That Marshal Chiang Kai-shek takes a brief holiday and resumes office later.

That Japan -withdraws her troops and restores to China her industrial and mining 'areas.

SLOOP SENT TO TIENTSIN

CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF BRITONS

COERCIVE MEASURES BY JAPANESE

LONDON, December 20.

The British sloop Grimsby has been ordered to Tientsin to watch the safety and interests of British nationals, concern for whom is felt because of the coercive Japanese measures against the British and French concessions.

The Japanese are reported to have banned imports into Japanese controlled China except from Japan. The Japanese attitude is hardening as a result of foreign loans to China. •

It is stated that the opening of the Canton river must await a settlement of the Yangtse dispute. The Japanese Navy has resumed the molestation of fishing junks near Hong Kong and has arrested 17 Chinese! The suburbs of Canton were bombed, without opposition, from aeroplanes. A Chinese attack is expected daily. The Japanese are digging trenches in the streets and erecting sandbag barriers.

MANCHUKUO BORDER DIFFICULTIES

FIVE JAPANESE DIVISIONS DISPATCHED

SHANGHAI, December 20. Anxiety over the situation" on the Soviet-Manchukuo border has led to the concentration of five, Japanese divisions on the border. They were withdrawn from Sinan, Hsuchow, Tsining, South Hbpei, and Shansi. It is reported that this has caused a temporary abandonment of the drive against Hanchow. Thirty thousand men have been drafted to sever Chinese and Russian communications.

PUPPET GOVERNOR INSTALLED

FORMER COMMANDER OF CHINESE FORTS

(Received December 21, 8.30 p.m.)

HONG KONG, December 20.

Pang Tungwing, the former commander of the Woosung forts, was ceremonially installed as chairman of the Japanese puppet. Government of Kwangtung Province. Lui Chunwing, former commander of the East River defences, is vicechairman. The British and American consuls were absent, journalists being the only foreigners present at the ceremony. I