APPEAL TO POWERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1928, Page 7

APPEAL TO POWERS

CHINA SEEKS MEDIATION JAPANESE DENOUNCED (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Recd. May 11, 2 p.m.) SHANGHAI, May 10. Huangafu, Nationalist Minister of Foreign Affairs, interviewed, stated that Doctor Wu had been ordered to proceed from Paris to Washington immediately, with a request for American intervention in Shantung, to prevent further trampling on China’s sovereign rights. He asserted that the landing of Japanese troops on Chinese soil' outside the concession, was an unpardonable breach of the terms of the Washington Conference, and the Chinese were prepared to resist to the utmost, in the event of the failure of friendly nations to mediate. He realised that there were two sides to the question, and there was still time to settle without furtherbloodshed. He further stated that in the event of the Japanese extending their military activities outside the settlement, they would not be resisted by the Nationalists, but as additional evidence of Japanese aggression, it would be taken into final accounting. Nationalists were not responsible for possible native reaction. He warned other nationalities of the possibility of anti-Japanese feeling among Chinese masses turning against all foreigners, in the event of a tardy settlement of the dispute. Already there were indications that the the temper at Shanghai and other centres was in this direction.

He added: “I appeal to all friendly nations to stand by the Nationalists of China. The present crisis was not sought and not prompted by us.” There are Chinese reports that a truce has been reached between the South and North. JAPANESE TOO STRONG. SHANGHAI, May 10. Despatches from Tsinanfu state that General Toyani’s mixed brigade from Dairen, en route to Tsinanfu, clashed with the main force of the Southerners, near Kuotien. The latter were heavily defeated. The Japanese casualties were slight. The Southerners retreated, but fighting is continuing. Street fighting was resumed in Tsinanfu following attempts to disarm the Southerners remaining in the city. The Japanese bombarded the walled section of Tsinanfu dative quarter, which was occupied by a few thousand Southerners, who refused to disarm. Later they withheld fire, not desiring to harm the innocent civilians, and sent aeroplanes to scatter handbills inside the walls, advising a surrender. The troops .esponded to the appeal, and the citizens are now disarming.

Following the arrival of reinforcements, the Japanese troops are occupying strategic positions throughout Tsinanfu, and gradually securing control of the situation. Seventeen vessels ranging from fifteen hundred to eight thousand tons have been chartered for transport of the Nagoya division to Shantung. It is reported that orders have been given to the Northerners to suspend hostilities pending a settlement of the Tsinanfu affair. Meanwhile, the student element is clamouring for the Nationalist Government to declare it was Japan which was endeavouring to stir up the populace to acts of violence. Consequently the local Japanese commander advised the Chinese authorities that in order to protect their nationals in the event of trouble, he would not hesitate to despatch troops outside the international settlement to occupy strategic positions like the British did last year. AMERICAN MEDIATION. WASHINGTON, May 9. Declaring that unless a substantial factor for peace intervenes immediately in China, war may ensue, involving tho whole world. Representative Black has introduced in Congress a resolution directing Mr. Kellogg to endeavour to induce an amicable adjustment of any difficulties existing between China and Japan.