BLACK OUTLOOK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11493, 21 November 1931, Page 5

BLACK OUTLOOK

MANCHURIAN WARFARE JAPAN REFUSES TO WITHDRAW. TROOPS WANTS NEW TREATY MADE FIRST CHINA CALLS ON LEAGUE FOR ACTION (U.P.A. by Elec. To/- Copyright) PARIS, Nov. 19. Slender hopes of a settlement of the Manchurian crisis were dispelled by the Japanese note to M. Briand. Although agreeable to the despatch of a League Commission to Manchuria, Japan refuces to withdraw her troops until a new treaty is directly negotiated with China, confirming tho present treaties’ five points. Thc< note {declares that even if the security of Japanese subjects and property seems assured, Japan is maintaining a military occupation because it feels that the Nanking Government is the tool of thq antiJapanese Kuomintang, and is powerless to maintain order. Japan cannot consider the proposals of. the League councillors for certain Sino,Japanese negotiations coinciding with the evacuation. Dr. ISze. sent a note to the Council in the bluntest terms asking whether the Kellogg Pact and the League Covenant possessed valid force, if so wdiy no concerted action was taken. It threatened to invoke Articles 15 and 16 if the League failed. China would be forced publicly to blame the powers for their unwillingness to lift a finger to defend a solemn covenant. British delegates are pressing for a public meeting at which the Chinese and Japanese could state theii proposals. All channels for a settlement under Article 11 are seemingly exhausted, and the Council is con fronted with an inextricable dilemma. It is doubtful whether it is prepared to enforce the sanctions in Article 16.

TSITSIHAR ENGAGEMENT 600 KILLED AND 2900 WOUNDED REPORTED CHINESE CITIZENS IN FULL FLIGHT (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.) SHANGHAI. Nov. 19. Unconfirmed estimates of the result of the Tsitsihar engagement place the Japanese losses at. _ 300 killed and wounded and the Chinese 300 killed and 2900 wounded. It is believed that General Chang Hsu-Chliang’s troops are preparing a descent upon Ilsinminfu. on the Pekin-Mukden railway. Tho Nanking Government has received a telegram from Marshal Chang Hsu-Chang, the former Manchurian ruler, now in Peiping, notifying that he has urgently ordered every section of the Manchurian forces to rally to General Ma ChuSan’s support. Chinese soldiers captured by Japanese declare that they were told by General Ma that the'ir opponents were Chinese rebels. Until the Japanese pieroed the- Chinese lines they were unaware that the opposing forces were Japanese. Thousands of Chinese civilians in the Chinese Eastern Railway zone are leaving their homes and belongings, and fleeing helter skelter, despite the bitterness of the weather, the temperature being 20 degrees below zero. The successful completion of Japan’s swift advance across the Chinese Eastern Railway is announced in wireless dispatches received at Pekin front Tsitsihar. One message says General Ma retreated from the city, which the Japanese are now entering, following a bombardment. Fighting is continuing, with General Ma directing the forces from Taerlia on the Tsitihar-Koshan railway.

JAPANESE EXPLANATION

COUNTER-ATTACK DUE TO CHINESE ACTIVITY

(U.P.A. bv Elec. Tel. Copyright-* TOKIO, Nov. 19. Tlie War Minister has issued a statement declaring that a counterattack was necessary in consequence of the Chinese relying on immensely superior numbers and launching a general attack, including heavy gunfire. There was a danger of the Chinese, estimated to number 24,000, surrounding and annihilating the Japanese. The aggressive troops have now been dispersed, and the Japanese will withdraw as soon as possible.

LEAGUE PROBLEM

DISCUSSIONS RESUMED

MORE NOTES FROM BOTH

PARTIES

(British Official Wireless.'.. RUGBY, Nov. 19. The League Council resumed in Paris its work on the intricate and dangerous Afanchurian problem. Although he has been unwell for some days, AI. Briand again presided, as he" refuses to absent himself while the League is confronted with* such a critical task. Sir John Simon is returning to London from Paris to attend an important Cabinet meeting fixed for to-morrow, and in his absence Lord Cecil will represent Britain on the League Council. If necessary Sir John Simon may return to Paris later.

General Chiang Kai-Shek is proceeding immediately to Alanchuria. Chiang addressed the fourth national Ivouinintang congress for two hours, aud emphasised the Kounrintang’s obligation to lead the masses to resist foreign aggression. The Nanking Government has forwarded the League a list enumerating “Japan’s provocative activities in China” replying to Japan’s publication of alleged Chinese violation of Sino-Japanese treaties. China’s note estimates that there are 23,000 Japanese troops iii Alanchuria, greatly exceeding the treaty limitations.

There lias been an exchange of notes between the Chinese and Japanese Governments regarding, the question of responsibility for the Tsitsihar battle. Tho former insists that the Japanese military provoked the outbreak, insisting on General Ala Chn-Shan’s compliance with a series of impossible . demands. The note expresses surprise at the demands, which included General Ala’s withdrawal. v The Japanese reply alleges duplicity against General Ala, declaring that lie repeatedly broke pledges regarding troop movements, and finally lost his head after receiving a flood of congratulatory telegrams from all' parts of China urgihg resistance to Japan, and precipitated hostilities in a moment of reckless bravado.

Tho League’s failure to reach a solution iii Alanchuria has prompted numerous condemnatory circulars by public organisations in Shanghai and elsewhere. To-night the influential Citizens’ Federation telegraphed the League threatening to turn an informal war into a formal one unless immediate stops are taken to check the so-called Japanese aggressions.