CHINESE WAR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 28 May 1928, Page 9

CHINESE WAR

ARMISTICE POSSIBLE JAPANESE ACTIVE FIGHTING FORBIDDEN United Press Association—By. Electric Telegraph—Copyright. iustrallan Press Association—United Sorvlc* TOKIO,"2GtIi May. In connection with Tientsin reports that Chang Tsb-lin's armies have started a general offensive against the Southern Allies, there is a growing impression that some form of armistice may yet bo arranged, permitting either a continuation of Chang's regime in Pekin or the creation of a buffer area between the Nationalists and Chang in the Pokin-Tientsin zone. While Japanese officialdom continues pessimistic regarding Chang's success, it is known that efforts are being exerted in some quarters to ■ arrange a cessation of the China war on the basis of diplomatic agreements rather than" finish the fight. In the meantime Japanese military preparations in Southern Manchuria are continuing, apace, with daily troop movements and the strengthening of the whole Japanese position between Mukden and Shanhaikwan. .Tsihgtao dispatches state that E-ear- ■ Admiral Mukaida, commanding the second Japanese China' squadron, has issued a summary order preventing Chinese warships at Tsingtao and Kaiochow engaging in belligerent operations, on the ground that foreign nationals would be uselessly endangered. Similarly General Yasumitsu, commanding the Nagoya division, has requested both the Northern and Southern forces to retire beyond the twenty-mile line .on either side of the Kiaochow'-Tsinan / railway, on the grounds that the presence of Chinese forces in this area threatens foreign interests. The military have also oVdered cessations of all anti-Japanese propaganda in the occupied qreas.