WAR IN EARNEST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11878, 24 February 1933, Page 5

WAR IN EARNEST

HEAVY FIGHTING IN JEHOL. TERRIFIC AERIAL BOMBARDMENT OF THREE TOWNS. GENERAL JAPANESE ATTACK MAY START TO-DAY. STRICT CENSORSHIP BY BOTH COMBATANTS. . (U.P.A. by E!nc. Tel. Copyright)' (Received Feb. 23, io.ts p.m.)

SHANGHAI, Feb. 23.

Peking reports states that fighting at Jehol is continuing with terrific aerial bombardment of chaayang, Naming and Peipiao. The air attacks are apparently aimed at the destruction of communications. Only the telegraph station at Chaoyang is now remaining.

it is believed that a general Japanese attack will commence tomorrow.

Other Shanghai reports state that both the Chinese, and, Japanese are enforcing strict censorship, rendering it difficult to ascertain the true position at jehol.

DELIVERY OF ULTIMATUM

CHINESE MUST LEAVE JEHOL

REPLY DEMANDED IN 24 HOURS.

JAPAN THREATENS. FORCIBLE EXPULSION.

(o.l’. A. by Flee. TV'S. Copyright )

SHANGHAI, February 22

Following the statement, to the League denying the League's concern about Mnnehnkuo, which is an independent non-ITlemhol , State, and declaring that the settlement of the trouble in Jehol is entirely a, domestic affair, Air. I Oinking, the Foreign Afinister, has sent an ultimatum to Nanking and one to Marshal Chang Hseuh-Linng demanding a reply within 24 ho'firs.

Failing satisfaction, an immediate advance will begin for the expulsion of Marshal Chang’s troops from the pro vince.

For the past month. Japanese forces have been taking up positions for their advance, bombing Tvailu and other places.

PEKING DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF TTLTIArATUM WILL BE RETURNED UNOPENED IF SENT. (IJ.P.A. by Elec. Tel Copyright! (Received Feb. 23, 10.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Fob. 23. Peking authorities have no knowledge of the pending ultimatum, and declare that ff an ultimatum is presented, they will return it unopened to the sender. JAPANESE MAY ENFORCE BLOCKADE. FOREIGN CIRCLES ALARMED. (d.P.A. bv Flee. Tel. Copyright) SHANGHAI, Feb. 23. There is considerable apprehension in foreign circles as the result of a rumour that the .Japanese Navy may he compelled to . enforce a blockade should tho struggle develop into serious proportions. A Tokyo official domument, which is given official prominence at Shanghai, sets out that if any countries attempt to enforce economic sanctions again Japan, in such eventuality the Imperial Navy is prepared to meet every emergency with every means at its disposal. PROPOSED ARMS EMBARGO. CHINA CLAIMS SELF-DEFENCE. BAN WILL MEAN “STAB IN THE BACK.” (U.I’.A. by Elec. Tc!. Copyright. ) (Received- .Feb. 23, 10.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Feh. 23. Referring to reports that certain nations favored an arms omiUi’go. tho Nanking Foreign Office spokesman declared that, the embargo should be limited to Japan alone, since China is acting in self-defence, while to prevent China securing arms and supplies in the present struggle is tantamount to “stabbing her in the back.”

Dr. Soong last night informed the Press that Chiang. Kai Slick .is preparing to enter the fight and will shortly assume the chairmanship of the National Defence Committee, wliiclic includes every experienced military loader in the country t

PROBLEMS COMMENCE

BRITAIN ALONE COULD NOT ENFORCE ARMS BAN. LEAGUE MUST SEE AMERICA AND RUSSIA. JAPAN MIGHT~BLOCKADE PORTS ■ FOREIGN SHIPPING COULD BE SEARCHED: (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright' > (Received Fob. 23, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Fob. 23. Tho Daily Herald says that one British firm alone exported to tho Far; East within - two , months over 36,000,000 rifle cartridges; and another shipped 1000 machine guns. Japan bought 4000 tons of copper during a-fortnight, mainly from the United States. '

The Daily Telegraph’s..' diplomatic correspondent says - that ' as'- America and the other Powers have not imposed an embargo, it would be futile for Britain to do so alone. Such an embargo would hit China worse than Japan, as China, is not a manufacturing nation. Japan has modern arseiials and munition factories. If the ’ League.recommends, ah embargo, it twill have to- see that ;the United States and tlie Soviet' adopt it. If the embargo Is, restricted to Japan’ it may raise, a difficult problem, as probably Japan v'ould blockade Chinese ports, and claim the. right to search ships for contraband. Britain could- not well challenge this view under her maritime law, but America would be sure to do -so in view of her freedom of tho seas doctrine.

WORKING TWENTY-FOUR, HOURS A. DAY.

BRITISH FIRMS MAKING AIUNITIONS FOR JAPAN.

SIAAI WANTS SHELLS AND TANKS.

rO.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright)

(Received Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)

LONDON, Feb. 23

The Vickers-Alaxim works at Elswich a-re going twenty-four hours daily, making munitions and tanks for the Ear East. Big monthly deliveries have been made to Japan since October.

The Vickers-Armstrong works at Hartford are fully occupied making shells for Japan, while Siam has given large orders for shells, and has taken many . small tanks.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS

PROGRESS OF SINGAPORE BASE

GOVERNMENT FAVOURS INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO.

'U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. O'nyright ■

LONDON, February 22

In the House of Commons, Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell, replying to Air. G. Lambert, said, in reference to the Singapore base, that the Jackson contract was due for completion on December 30. Plus the floating dock, it would cost £6,114,000. MK Seymour Cocks asked: “In view of the situation in the Far East, will the Government press on with the work as rapidly as possible?”

Tho Afinister made no reply. Air. G. Lansbury, in asking for the fixing of a date for n debate on the Far Eastern situation, said: “The press report many sales of old ship s to Japan for the production of shet and shell. We are anxious that this should not continue even fa- another three days.”

Air. AfneDonald replied that the Government was doing its utmost to see if an international arms embargo agreement was attainable. Mr. P. A. Harris: Aleanwhile eonid not the Government give n‘ lead to its own nationals not to accept ammunition orders?

Mr. MacDonald replied that the G-Ov ernment’s view was that the matte l ' must he settled as quickly ns possible, but by international agreement. An emergency meeting of the Cabinet has been convened for to-night-in connection with tho Far East cri-

The Sun News service understands that Britain is consulting America regarding an arms embargo. Aleanwhile,

The Powers are anxiously awaiting Britain?’ load.

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY DONE ITS PART. MEMBERS SHOULD ADOPT WAITING POLICY. LONDON TRESS COMMENT. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.' LONDON. Feh. 22. The Times says it would be frankly foolish to imagine that the countries composing; the League of Nations are prepared to fight Japan in order to prevent the Japanese and Manclnikuau armies securing the province of Tobol. Tho Assembly has done its part, and countries with interests in the Ear East must themselves decide what policy is likely to conduce to an earlv restoration of peace!ul conditions. If. they decide, on a policy of waiting which in many circumstances, is the wisest course, there is no reason whv they should facilitate hostilities by allowing fresh supplies arms to roach the belligerents.