NORTH CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 11

NORTH CHINA

JAPAN'S INTENTIONS AUTONOMY SCHEME HANOS FIRE ; Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 21. The Peking correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: “Instead of the expected proclamation of autonomy in North China failure attended Major-general Doihara’s mission because a majority of the Chinese leaders failed -to meet him, advancing various excuses. The scheme now depends on the outcome of a conference between General Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese Ambassador (Mr Ariyoshi) at Nanking. Japanese military; authorities have learned that Nanking intends to adhere to peaceful methods of settlement, > but they assert that the autonomy movement was instituted by northern Chinese leaders, and is bound to continue. The northern populace, however, does not desire a greater 'measure of self-government under Japanese tutelage.’ In the meantime Japanese militarists are promoting a policy directed to a pro-Japanese regime, assured of Japanese support. TENSION EASED JAPANESE DENY DELIVERING ULTIMATUM. LONDON, November 21. ,(Received November 22, at 10.20 a.m.) • The' sudden easing of the tension in North China points to the fact that Major-general Doihara exceeded his instructions. Some accounts say that he has been disowned, but this probably arises from the fact that he is returning to Japan to assume divisional command as previously announced. Japanese militarists at _ Peiping deny that Major-general. Doihara delivered an ultimatum, and state that they ha.ve no intention of converting the demilitarised zone into a separate province. The Japanese Foreign Office has issued a statement denying that it gave assistantance to the autonomy movement, which, it says, spontaneously arose out of Nanking’s action in nationalising silver, but commentators point out that Japanese officers were talking autonomy long before the silver decree. ’ ANGLO-AMERICAN CONVERSATIONS (British Official Wireless'.) RUGBY, November 21. (Received November 22, at 1 p.m.) Recent developments in the Far East are being closely watched in London. Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a clear appreciation of the situation owing to incomplete reports being available. The British Ambassador at Washington (Sir Ronald Lindsay) is understood to have had conversations with the State Department relative to the position in China. ' * The latest newspaper reports reaching London appear to indicate the possibility of discussions in Nanking between General Chiang Kai-shek, and the Japanese Ambassador, which, it is hoped, may lead to relief of the tension of the, last few days.