KIANGWAN CAPTURED

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 9

KIANGWAN CAPTURED

JAPANESE OFFENSIVE CONTINUES ADVANCING ON TAZANG Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 24. A Shanghai message states that the Japanese have captured Kiangwan. They have crossed the railway line and are advancing on Tazang. JAPANESE NOW RESTING AWAITING REINFORCEMENTS GERMAN ADVISERS BEHIND ’ CHINESE OPPOSITION, I SHANGHAI, February 24. (Received February 25, at 10.25 a.m.) There was little activity on the three fronts to-day, with the exception of Kiangwan, where the artillery continues a relentless bombardment of the Chinese lines, also of a wide area in the rear,' where the Chinese are reported to be concentrated in largo numbers. Tazang village, once a thriving district, has been pounded to a heap of grey ruins. The Japanese forces are resting, awaiting the arrival of additional divisions before making a final drive across Hongkew Creek. The confidence of the Chinese people is soaring daily as the result of the defiant stand made by the Chinese forces. The failure of the Japanese either to capture Chapei or to pass the Chinese front lines is now indicated. Nanking is prepared to throw the whole weight of the Chinese military machine against the Japanese. It is definitely certain that German advisers are behind the Chinese opposition. PKDEN'S DECLARATION NO GROUND FOR ACTION BY BRITAIN (British Official Wireless,) RUGBY, February 24. v , (Received February 25, at 11.30 a.m.) Captain Eden (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), in the House of Commons, replying to a question regarding the declaration of Mukden as an independent State consisting of the four north-eastern provinces of China* said that an Administrative . Council had been formed to formulate the details of the reorganisation and constitution of the new Government. Since the declaration had been made by the local Chinese authorities there was no ground for action by the British Government under the Nine-Power Treaty. • On another question he said he did not think that any further Note, even if addressed to both China and Japan, would serve any useful purpose. The British Government had already made its position sufficiently clear, and the Japanese Government had given definite assurance that it had no territorial ambitions and would uphold the principle of the “ open door.”

On behalf of the Admiralty it is. stated that no further warships are being sent to Shanghai. It has been arranged that H.M.S. Berwick, which is due to return shortly, should be relieved temporarily by H.M.S. Devonshire, an Sin gun cruiser from the Mediterranean station. REFERRED TO CHINA JAPAN ON THE LEAGUE'S APPEAL Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. GENEVA, February 24. (Received February 25, at noon.) Japan has handed its reply to the League, reiterating that the Council cf Twelve’s appeal should have been made to China. MEDIATION BY POWERS OPINION IN LONDON LONDON, February 24.The ‘ Telegraph ’ says: “ The opinion in diplomatic circles in London is that an opportunity will arise for a renewal of attempts at mediation when the Japanese have pushed back the Chinese 12 to 20 miles from Shanghai. The Powers will then seek to persuade China to accept a demilitarised zone under their collective guarantee. Japan has pledged herself to accept some such solution.” SHELLING OF SETTLEMENT REPLY BY CHINA SHANGHAI, February 24. The Chinese have replied to a joint foreign protest regarding the shelling of the settlement, stating that they cannot accept responsibility, since the settlement is used as a Japanese military base.: BRITISH LABOUR MANIFESTO JAPAN BLAMED LONDON, February 23. The council of the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Party, and the Parliamentary Labour Party issued a manifesto declaring that the Japanese

iiro violating their treaty obligations and disregarding their pledges to the League and the Powers, and have established a virtual protectorate in Manchuria. “ A state of war exists between China and Japan,” says the manifesto, “ for which Japan is responsible, though sho could have obtained satisfaction through a covenant with China, or, on the contrary, put the case into the League’s hands. Japan can ensure prosperity only by friendly co-operation with China, instead of by force. If the nations of the world fail to uphold the Covenant they will destroy the collective system of world law and increase international insecurity and cause other wars. The council therefore asks the League to consider the question of requesting member nations to withdraw their ambassadors from Tokio. The British Government, if Japan defies world opinion, must propose to the League such measures of financial and economic restraint as will restore peace.”

AMERICA'S POLICY

STATEMENT TO BE ISSUED

WASHINGTON, February 24

As a result of a series of conferences between White House officials, Mr Stimson, and Senator Borah, it is anticipated that Mr Stimson will tomorrow issue a statement bearing on the Sino-Japanese crisis.

Admiral Taylor reported that Admiral Momura had expressed “ the absolute desire of Japan to avoid any friction With the United States.” Count Debuchi asserted that he does not know the number of Japanese troops involved in the Shanghai battle, but any reinforcements which were added would be sent to avoid “ further aggravation of the situation.” Other Japanese authorities here emphatically denied the reported cruelties by Japanese troops to Chinese civilians.

Inquiry among officials indicated that the Government has made no efforts to advise Britain in 1 advance concerning what it may or may not do in response to any request from the League. The Government is apparently not greatly interested in the suggestion by the League Assembly that the United States should join an arms embargo against both China and Japan. It is felt that American public opinion would not support such a move, since it strongly favours China. Moreover, it is believed that China in such a case would only suffer, since Japan is already well equipped. A distinguished friend of President Hoover ventured the opinion that the economic bcoyott proposal find no support in the Cabinet and ..tile in the Senate. He said that a few senators were somewhat in favour of the idea, but they would change their minds in a debate, especially if Senator Borah got into action. “ With the Japanese -stewing in their own juice, why all these petitions? They have been well stopped at Shanghai,” he said. “OPEN DOOR" POLICY ENDORSED STATEMENT BY MR STIMSON. WASHINGTON, February 24. (Received February 25, at 10.5 a.m.) The United States stood firmly today behind the “open door” policy in China, and disputed Japan’s claim that the Nine-Power Treaty should be revised because China was not able to maintain order.

In an open letter to Senator Borah (chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee) the Secretary of State (Mr H. L. Stimson) said the observance of treaties would have avoided tfle present situation, and no evidence had come to the United States Government that compliance with them would have interfered with the protection of all legitimate foreign rights in China.

The Nine-Power Treaty, Mr Stimson wrote, tvas entered into at a time when China was engaged in an attempt to develop free institutions. The Powers realised that China would require many years to attain that end. The treaty thus was a covenant of self-denial among the signatory Powers in deliberate renunciation of any policy of aggression which might tend to interfere in that development. MR STINSON'S DECLARATION WASHINGTON, February 24. (Received February 25, at 1 p.m.) In a sweeping reaffirmation of United States policy Mr Stimson to-day, in a letter to Senator Borah, declared that the whole fabric of international understanding in the Far East, including even the balance of naval power agreed upon in 1921-22, was threatened by the Sino-Japanese hostilities. It was partly because of the guarantees in the now disregarded Nine-Power Treaty, Mr Stimson said, that the United States had agreed to give up some of its battleships and to abandon further fortifications in Guam and the Philippines. AUSTRALIA'S POSITION STATEMENT IN COMMONS LONDON, February 23. In the House of Commons Mr J. H. Thomas, replying to Mr G. C. Mander (Lab.), said that no representations had been received from Australia in reference to Japan’s action in the Far East. The Commonwealth had been kept in closest touch with the situation. There was no reason to doubt that the British policy commanded Australia’s general assent. Mr Mander: Has your attention been called to an attack on Australia’s migration policy' made by a Japanese delegate at the last League meeting? Mr Thomas said he saw an account of it, but he was much more influenced by a personal discussion with Austra-

lian representatives than by a general discussion by an outside authority. Mr Mander was apparently referring to the Japanese allusion at the League Council to the exclusion of Japanese from different countries of the world, including the Pacific. KEPT FULLY INFORMED CANBERRA, February 24. Replying to a question in the House of Repmentatives to-day, Mr J. G. Latham (Attorney-General) said that the Commonwealth Government was being kept fully informed about the SinoJapanese conflict. The Press reports were also substantially accurate. The Commonwealth was anxious for peace, but it was not practicable for the Commonwealth to take any useful separate action apart from the League of Nations. PRESS PASSES SUSPENDED SHANGHAI, February 24. As a resilt of the local publication of stories alleging Japanese atrocities, the truth of which is highly questionable, local Press passes from Japanese headquartori for the front lines have been indefiritely suspended, but foreign correspmdents are not affected. CANADIAN FLYING OFFICERS OFFER SERVICES TO CRIRA OfTAWA, February 24. (Received February 25, at 10.20 a.m.) That the proposal of a number of Canadian flyinr officers, who are being retired from me Royal Canadian Air Force for reasons of economy to organise two squadrons of fighting planes, together with i personnel for Chinese service, has ben favourably received by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, was announced here to-day by Dr. L. I. Tehjin (Consul General). A cablegram frUn Nanking expressed interest and asled for more details. The offer was to raise fifty officers and air mechanics.