STRONGER HOPES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 9

STRONGER HOPES

MAINTAINING PEACE

PREMIER OF JAPAN URGES CALMNESS

LONDON, July 15. The Tokio correspondent of "Th» Times" says that hopes that peace caa be preserved in North China are growing stronger, but the governing factor is still Nanking's attitude towards Japan's insistence tnat the' dispute must be settled with the Worth Chin* authorities as a local incident.

If the Chinese terms announced yesterday are faithfully fulfilled. th« Japanese army will be satisfied, but it intends to see them carried out before relaxing its preparations. Japan is making no political demands, and the terms now being discussed will not alter North China's existing status or China's territorial integrity.

The Japanese at Fengtai have issued a proclamation in Chinese indicating that the dispatch of troops to North China is for the purpose of expelling the Chinese 29th Army as opponents of law and order.

Competent observers express the opinion that Japan is only awaiting reinforcements before driving out the 29th Army from Hopei. A message from Shanghai states that the tenor "of Chinese Press comment is that the time has come for a settlement of accounts witl, Japan The Press advocates the abandonment of negotiations, as they give Japan time to prepare her war machine. The populace acclaims the 29th Army as national heroes.

It is reported from Tokio that warships have been ordered to the Chinese and Manchukuoan coasts. The Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, who is ill sent a message to Cabinet urging calmness. "The Government intends to seek China's prompt reconsideration and a peaceful solution." he said.