ALL QUIET NOW

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 87, 6 January 1933, Page 9

ALL QUIET NOW

Japanese Move South CHINESE WITHDRAWAL Shanhaikuan Casualties WARSHIPS ON GUARD By Telegraph—Press Assn. -Copyright. (Received Jan. 5, 11.35 p.m.) Shanghai, Jan. 5. All is quiet at Shanhaikuan following the Japanese occupation. The Chinese troops have now withdrawn to Changli, on the PekingMukden railway, about forty times southward of Shanliatkuan, wheie they are reforming. ' The Japanese tippear to be some miles south of the Great Wall at Shanhaikuan. Armoured trains are patrolling almost as far south as Chinwangtao, though the latest reports justify the hope that the incident may stall be localised. Japanese aeroplanes are reconnoitring over the Chinese positions, dropping a few bombs, but doing no damage. Warships Cleared For Action. The Japanese warships at Chinwangtao are all cleared for action. The Chinese report that they carry a landing party of 300, apparently intending to use the Kailan mining administration wharf which is British property. Chinese have consequently warned the company against permitting landing, and disclaimed responsibility for damage should the orders be ignored. H.M.S. Devonshire, clue to leave tomorrow for Malta, is being held at Shanghai, officially for service reasons. H.M.S. Suffolk, due to-morrow to relieve the Devonshire, will also remain at Shanghai in view of the general situation in the Far East. _ The British gunboats Bridgewater and Folkestone have been ordered to Chinwangtao to protect British interests there. Heavy Casualties.

Chinese officials estimate that the military casualties in the Shanhai-

kutiu lighting were 1700. The civilian casualties arc unknown, but are described as extremely heavy. A whole battalion of troops is reported to have been wiped out. while hundreds of civilians are said to have been killed by the terrific Japanese bombardment. The Japanese have demanded the withdrawal of all Chinese troops to Changli. The Japanese in Northern China have been instructed to negotiate with Marshal Chang Hsueh-iiang to localise the Shanhaikuan outbreak. Drive in Manchuria. While attention is focused on events at Shanhaikuan, the Japanese drive to rid Manchuria of Chinese volunteers is making rapid headway. The Japanese report occupying Muling ' after severe clashes in which 200 volunteers were killed. OPPOSING VIEWS Comments on Situation London, Jan. 4. Mr. Quo Ttiiehi, the Chinese Minister in London, commenting on the Shanhaikuan incident, says: “I shall not be surprised if when the League Assembly meets again, the Japanese troops are pouring inside the Great Wall into the Peking-Tientsin area.” The Japanese spokesman at Geneva states that the Shanhaikuan fighting was purely local, and unlikely to lead to extensions of military operations in China proper. The Japanese Government was desirous to avoid aggravating the situation for which Marshal Chang Hseuli-liang was entirely to blame. Conflicting accounts having been received regarding (lie Shio-.Tapanese clash at Shanhaikuan, the British Legation at Peking has dispatched an officer to the area to make inquiries FRENCH VIEWPOINT , 0 Denounce the Aggressor Paris, Jan. -t. M. Leon Blum declares that France must take the lead in denouncing the aggressor at Shanhaikuan. It would be regrettable if Japan should defeat the League, but better the League mutilate!! than the league dishonoured. be says. GERMAN COMMENTS Close Watch on Events Berlin, Jan. 4. The Press is closely following events in the Far East. The “Vossische Zeitung” says: "Japan feels herselt safe. The Great Powers cannot at present be drawn from their reserve. America alone I s not In a position to cope with Japan No doubt a political battle Is developing in the Far East which will deeply affect Europe.” The “Tages Zeitung” says: "Japan's latest operation is intended to show the United States and the League of Nations that Tokio has not the slight-

est regard for Geneva, and is acting only in accordance with Japan’s own Interests.” ITALIAN INTEREST Koine, Jan. 4. Signor .Mussolini received Mr. Matsnoka and spent an hour discussing the Manchurian situation EXTREME GRAVITY America Expects Crisis London, Jan. 4. "The Times’ ’’ Washington correspondent says that it is generally believed that a crisis of extreme gravity in the Far East is almost inevitable .