WAY DOWN NONNI RIVER

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 November 1931, Page 5

WAY DOWN NONNI RIVER

BIG BATTLE IMMINENT ’

JAPS. RENEW BOMBARDMENT [BY CABLE —PBESB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] SHANGHAI, November 14. The Japanese resumed the bombard--1 inent of the Chinese lines at the Non- • ni River. It appears that the hostili- • ties were started by the Japanese, following upon the Chinese Commander, • General Machi San’s rejection of a 1 Japanese ultimatum to evacuate the • Nonni zone. The Japanese have been . reinforced by artillery and they are reported to be heavily attacking the Chinese, whose withdrawal is reported to be imminent. The American and other foreign Consuls at Harbin declare that the Chinese are not receiving Soviet assistance, though Japanese insist that Soviet munitions were conveyed into Manchuria, and hidden in trains, in the form of kerosene. CHINESE ADVANCE. PARIS, November 14. Japan has notified, the 'League that large Chinese forces are advancing on Taonan, threatening the Japanese flank. General Ma, with an army ten times larger than the Japanese, is within three miles of the Japanese at Nouibridge. The danger’ of a big attack is imminent. General Dawes is conferring with the Chinese and Japanese delegates, and members of the League Council individually. REINFORCEMENTS FAREWELLED. TOKIO, November 15. A tremendous ovation was accorded to soldiers of the mixed brigade- departing for Manchuria, to relieve the time expired men. It is estimated half a million citizens were crowding the vantage points overlooking the railway. SOVIET NOTE TO JAPAN. (Recd. Nov. 16, 11.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, November 15. x “The Soviet is entitled to expect that her statement on October '£9, in

which she. made her non-interference policy perfectly clear, should end the provocative, false and senseless allegations that Russia is assisting the Chinese,” says a Soviet Note to Tokio. “Nevertheless, the Government must draw attention to the fact that Japanese military circles are continuing the anti-Soviet campaign, inventing absolutely unfounded rumours, alleging assistance, including an official statement that reinforcements for Chinese and Korean Communists have been moved from Blagoveschensk.” The Soviet Note points out that the Japanese are preparing to cross the railway at Tsitsihar, which would paralyse communication and cause material loss to Russia. The Soviet expects Japan not to violate her assurances. LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING. RUGBY, November 15. Sir J. Simon, accompanied by Lord Cecil, and officials will leave London for Paris to-morrow, to attend the resumed meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, called for con. sideration of the Manchurian dispute.