MANCHURIA

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 9

MANCHURIA

GREAT CHINESE FORCE CONCENTRATING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SHANGHAI, November 24. A message from Shanghai says that, presumably realising the futility of expecting a satisfactory from the League’s deliberations, China s military machine is commencing to function in an ominous manner, presaging imminent warfare. The Japanese military authorities in Mukden openly predict major hostilities, basing their prediction on the concentration of a huge Chinese force in preparation for a counter-attack, aiming at the recovery of Mukden. The Japanese even express the opinion that China is contemplating an open declaration of war. Approximately 200,000 Chinese troops are available against 20,000 scattered Japanese, and the latter are undoubtedly alarmed at the developments.

OMINOUS PREPARATIONS

WORST FEARS REALISED

FIGHTING BREAKS OUT JAPAN MAY BE FORCED TO DECLARE WAR SHANGHAI, November 24. (Received November 25, at 11 a.m.) Fighting broke out between Chinese and Japanese troops in the vicinity of Mukden yesterday. The engagement was fought between Chuliuho _ and Hsinminting, and was continued throughout the night. Details are lacking, except that it is stated that the Japanese wore attacked by Chinese troops from an ambush. Tho worst fears of the foreign observers are now realised, indicating the predicted battle on a major scale in the near future unless the Chinese troops cease massing in the vicinity of Chinchow.

A Tokio message delivered hero states that unless tho Chinese troops around Chinchow withdraw to tho neutral zone established following the withdrawal of Chang Hsueh-liang’s troops within the Great Wall, Japan may be forced to make a formal declaration of war with tho gravest possibilities.

Japanese military officials declared that failing the withdrawal of the Chinese troops “actual war” may break out."

Chiang Kai-shek’s departure northwards, it is feared, may precipitate a reinforcing of tho Japanese garrisons at Peiping, Tientsin, and Slianhaikwan. A Nanking message states that all parts of tho country are seething with anxiety, demanding that tho Government shall declare war.

Four special trains loft Shanghai today for Nanking, carrying over 10,000 students, all declaring their willingness to fight, but insisting that Chiang Kaishek should lead them.

THE LEAGUE COUNCIL

PARIS, November 23

The League Council is still incubating a magic formula to settle the Manchurian crisis, and is considering details in connection with sending a commission of inquiry to make personal observations, Mr Sze (China), while not objecting to the sending of a commission, urges that simultaneously provision should be made for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Japanese troops.

PROPOSED LEAGUE COMMISSION

JAPAN AND CHINA INFORMED (British Official Wirelpsa.) RUGBY, November 24, (Received November 25, at noon.) A draft resolution providing for the despatch of a commission to examine tho Manchurian situation on the spot has been communicated by M. Briand to tho Japanese and Chinese delegates. Private conversations regarding its terms were continued all day.

WORLD’S PEACE MACHINERY AT STAKE

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, November 24, (Recovied November 25, at noon.) Every phase of tho Manchurian situation is being followed with the closes! attention in this country. Referring to tho severe test which the problem has imposed on the League of Nations Sir Arthur Salter, an eminent economist, urged that the essential point was that hostilities should cease and the League should have an opportunity of forming and expressing an opinion on the question. A settlement should be reached by pacific means. It might be that the matters in dispute would have to bo deferred until Manchuria bad been evacuated apart from tlio railway zone. It was very undesirable that there should be any hectoring or schoolmastcring attitude towards either side, but tho League should mobilise all tho moral forces of tho world so that tho peace machinery of the world would ho recognised and strengthened. Much more was at stake than a local dispute between China and Japan, It was not only tho mechanism of the League that was at stake, but ■also tho world’s peace machinery.