MANCHURIAN CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 20982, 22 December 1931, Page 9

MANCHURIAN CRISIS

JAPANESE ACTIVITY

ARMY ON THE MOVE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SHANGHAI, December 31. Waiving the formality of an ultimatum, tho Japanese army in Man-, churia to-day began a drive, aiming at tiro total eradication of Chinese influence in the three Eastern provinces.

JAPAN'S ACTION EXPLAINED

CHINESE BANDITS AND IRREGULARS TO BE REPRESSED. SHANGHAI, December 21. (Received December 22, at 8.30 a.m.) The Japanese movement in Eastern Manchuria is aimed principally at Chinese bandits and irregular soldiers, who have been leadcrjess since the defeat of General Ma Chu-san in tho Nonni River battle. Two Japanese regiments are concentrating on Chinchow to drive out the Chinese, who are resisting stubbornly. Japanese bombing planes at dawn today attacked the Chinese positions at Changtu, Tienkiatung, and Fakumcn, inflicting heavy casualties. General Minami (n former Japanese War Minister) has arrived in Manchuria. He intends to remain there for a fortnight in order to make a personal investigation, because he believes that the responsibility for the present situation is his, since ho issued the original orders for the Japanese occupaof Manchuria.