DIRECT TALKS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 124, 21 November 1935, Page 9

DIRECT TALKS

CHINA AND JAPAN NORTHERN DISPUTE INDEPENDENCE OF PROVINCES DECLARATION POSTPONED United Tress Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received November 21, 10 a.m.) PEKING, November 20. The declaration of the independence of the northern provinces has been indefinitely postponed, following a message from Nanking that the Central Government is negotiating direct with the Japanese Ambassador. SECESSION DOUBTS FIGHTING POSSIBLE A CONFUSED SITUATION (Received November 21, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 20. The "Sun-Herald" agency says that the latest advices in official quarters show that the Sino-Japjuiese situation is most confused. It was at first anticipated that five provinces would secede, and it is now doubtful whether three will be agreeable, in which case fighting is possible. The British attitude in reply to the advocacy Viy radical newspapers of extreme action at present coincides with the policy in connection with' Manchukuo, namely that the dispute is entirely different from the Italo-Abyssinian affair. China has not appealed under Article 16 of the League of Nations Covenant, consequently the Covenant will not be invoked.

The "Sun-Herald" agency understands that Britain is unlikely to interfere in Japan's latest expansionist aims in China, and that the recent Australian and Japanese efforts at good will have influenced British policy. Britain certainly will not embarrass Australia and will avoid complications in the Far East which are likely to entangle herself, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaya.

Britain's passivity is supported by Government newspapers, which declare that it is far better for Japan to be busily engaged in her own neighbourhood than further afield.

Radical newspapers, however, demand British intervention. The "NewsChronicle" says that- once again Japan's bloodstained sword is raised, and another big slice will soon be carved from China's mutilated body. China will probably bow to the threat of force. Britain's past policy, coupled with Japan's careful choice of the moment, renders British action impossible.

The "Daily Express" says that Japan is laying a plan of a new world of yellow men, and will dominate this scheme. They will first master China, then cast a mantle over all Asia, and then conquer the Whites until they become lords of the earth—at least, according to their plan.

Cables received yesterday reported the delivery of a Japanese ultimatum, to which a reply is required by November 20, insisting that the Chinese authorities declare autonomy for five northern provinces, and that in default there would be an armed invasion. A favourable reply was believed to be certain to be given by local officials, acting on their own initiative. Failing a plan being forth coming, from Peking, it is expected that an autonomy council will shortly be established. DECISION AT PEKING AUTONOMOUS REGIME A LOOSE FEDERATION LONDON, November 19. The Peking correspondent of "The Times" says that Chinese leaders at Peking have virtually decided to declare an autonomous regime in North China in the next few days. According to the latest reports it will comprise a loose federation of five provinces—Hopei, Shantung, Shansi, Chahar, and Suiyuan—three special municipal areas—Peking, Tientsin, and Tsingtao—and possibly also a sixth province Composed of demilitarised portions of Hopei arid Chahar. The proposed name of the fihief organ of the federation, to be situated at Peking, the "North China Anti-Com-munist Self-governing Council of the Republic of China," suggests the line the Japanese propose to take to justify support of the new Administration.