JAPAN AND CHINA

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1928, Page 5

JAPAN AND CHINA

INTERVENTION POLICY Now Openly Evident (Received Mnv 20 at 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, May 19. Japan’s apparent determination to intervene in the civil war in China is creating a considerable agitation in ; the foreign diplomatic circles at Pekin g. , There has been a Japanese stateI nient presented siiniiltaneou ]y to three of the anti-Northem LertTlois, General Feng Ynh Siting, Marshal Chiang Kai Shek. and th*- Shansi Governor. General Yenshihsan, declaring Japan’s determination to preserve Manchuria from the ravages of war. This statement virtually asserts Japan*s determination to establish a Japanese pint ectorate in Manchuria, and pos ibly immediately. Janan is evidently willing to permit Marshal Chang Tso Lin’s Northern Armies to withdraw into Manchuria if disciplined, but will not permit the passage of a defeated, undisciplined It is understood that Japan has advised Marshal Chang Tso Lin to re turn to Manchuria immediately while his armies art* intact. The Manchurian Dictator has refused flatly to retreat. Japan’s Objective •PROTECTORATE” OVER MANCHURIA. TOK LO, May 18. The Japanese Government has published a memorandum, which it has communicated to the Peking and the Nankin" - (Nationalist) Governments to-day. ° It states: ‘‘The life of .the population in China is characterised by extreme unrest and distress, owing to constant disturbances over many vears. Foreign in China enjoy no urance of -afety in the pursuit of their occupations. It is, accordingly, the earnest desire of the Chinese and foreigners alike that these disturbances should terminate as soon as possible. Especially is this hoped for by Japan. whose interests are .specially and deeply involved, on account of hep being China's nearest 1 neighbour. Disturbances, however, now threaten to spread to the Tientsin and Peking districts. In .these circumstances, should disturbances develop further in the direction of Peking and ' Tientsin, and should the-situation become >o menacing as to threaten peace ’ nn-X order in Manchuria, Japan may bp constrained to take appropriat < and effective steps for .the maintenance of ; peace and order in Manchuria. Should i 1h" course of events be such as to lender the alxi^rmentioned measure imperative, Japan will exercise due care to provide against any unfair consequence arising to either of the two opposite partie-.” Following to-day’s memorandum to Ihr Diking and Nanking Governments, it is increasingly the opinion of many foreign observers that Japan is grad ■ mills being forced into position where • h>' may have to declare a virtual temporary protectorate in South Manchuria. and, possibly, as far north as (’hang Chun, which is the northern i terminus of the railway.

Japan’s Orders TO CHANG TSO LIN. TOKIO. May 19. The Japanese Government, through the Japanese Minister at Pekin, has been making direct overtures to persuade Chang Tso Lin to retire to Manchuria. These efforts having failed, the Japanese Government has finally derided on measures for the protection of Japanese in North China. .Japan is also strengthening her military forces in Manchuria at strategic points. Her determination is to prevent any continuation of warfare no: th of the Great Wall. AMERICA KEEPING CLEAR. WASHINGTON, May 18. The United States is retaining its liberty of action as .the Nationalists advance towards Tientsin and Peking. Mr Kellogg (Secretary of State) has decland, tiiat no requests have been received from either Britain or Japan towards co-operating to protect the Peking-Tientsin railway. He added that the United States is not contemplating taking any such a'-tion.

DESULTORY FIGHTING. SHANGHAI, May 19. There is desultory fighting proceed ing eighty miles south of Pekin. The Northerners are offering a strong resistance to the Southerners’ advance. Successes are claimed. THE FINAL STRUGGLE. SHANGHAI OPINION. SHANGHAI, May 18. The final struggle between North and South is predict cd to eventuate at Shanhaikwan, the gateway of Manchuria, also at Dolonore, the extreme north* rn boundary of China proper. The Nationalist armies are now engaged in sweeping the remnants of the Northern armiefs from the TientsinPukow and the Hankow and Poking railways, prior to an assault on Tientsin, which is anticipated to fall before th Nationalists without serious fighting. Little resistance .is expected until the Nationalist assault at the Great Wall. 300 NORTHERNERS KILLED. TROOP TRAINS COLLIDE. SHANGHAI, M ay 18. Two troop trains bearing the def Gated Shantungese to Manchuria collided. Three hundred were, killed.