WAR CLOUDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11826, 6 January 1933, Page 5

WAR CLOUDS

JAP VESSELS CLEARED FOR ACTION. • CHINESE WARNING TO BRITISH WHARF OWNERS. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Roc. Jan. 5, LI. p.m.) SHANGHAI. Jan. 1. Shanhaikunri reports to-day that quiet prevails. .Japanese’ aeroplanes word reconnoitring over tho Chinese positions, dropping a few bombs, but doing no damage. Japanese warships at Chingwangtao have all cleared for action, the Chinese reporting that they carry a landing party of three hundred, which apparently intends to use the Kailari Administration wharf, which is British property. The Chinese have, consequently. warned the company against permitting a landing,. disclaiming responsibility for any damage should their orders be ignored. H.M.R. Devonshire, due to leave to-morrow for Alalia, is being held at Shanghai, officially, for service reasons. H.M.S. Suffolk, due to-morrow to relieve the Devonshire, will also remain at Shanghai in view of the general situation in the Far East

AVhile attention is focused on events at Shnnhaikuari the Japanese drive to rid Manchuria of Chinese volunteers is making rapid headway. The Japanese report occupying Muling after severe clashes. Two hundred volunteers were killed.

SHANHAIKUAN FIGHTING PURELY LOCAL TROUBLE (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel Copyright) GENEVA, Jan. 4. The Japanese spokesman states that the Shanhaikuan fighting is purely local and is ; unlikely to lead to an extension of tho military operations in China proper. The Government is desirous of avoiding aggravating the situation. for which Chang ffsuehLiaug is entirely to blame. DENOUNCING THE AGGRESSOR (U.P.A. h v Flee. Tel. Copyright) PARTS, Jan. 4. Tho President, AL Albert Lebrun, declares that France must take the load in denouncing the aggressor at Shanhaikuan. It. would he regrettable if Japan woro to defeat the .League, but it would ho better if the League was mutilated than dishonored. HEAVY CASUALTIES REPORTED. (U.P.A. hy Elec. Tel. Copyright) SHANGHAI, Jan. b The Japanese have appeared some miles south of the Great. AA all at .Shanhaikuan. Armoured trains arc patrolling almost as lar south a* Chimvangtno, though tho latest reports justify tho hope that the incident may still be localised. All is quiet at Shanhaikuan following the Japanese occupation. Chinese troops have now withdrawn to C’hangli. where they are re-form-ing. Chinese officials estimate the mil itary casualties in the Shnnhriikua 11 fighting at 1709. The civilian casualties are unknown, but are described as extremely heavy. A whole battalion of troops is reported to .have been wiped out, while hundreds of civilians arc sain to have boon killed by the terrific Japanese bombardment.

The British gun-boats Bridgewater and Folkestone have been, ordered to Chinwangtno to protect British interests there.

ITALY AND JUGO-SLAVT A

hints in the press

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 4. The Time’s A’iennn correspondent states that the newspapers are drawing attention to the danger of I Lil-ian-J ugo-Slav hostilities. Tho newspaper Dev Abend alleges that Italy is feverishly building frontier fortresses and will probably find a pretext to attack Jugo-Slnvia early in the spring through Albania. The Nones Wiener Abenhlatt stresses Italy’s solicitude to obtain Rumania’s undertaking to remain neutral in the event of war. The Chancellor assured the Budget Finance Committee that Austria would observe the strictest neutrality and announced that it had- protested to Jngo-Slavia about the kidnapping of an Austrian subject. He regarded a satisfactory settlement as of tho greatest importance.