THE FAR EAST

Grey River Argus, 10 March 1933, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

CHINESE STAND May Be Made at Wall THE JAPANESE OFFENSIVE. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) SHANGHAI, March .8. A Kobe message states that the capture of towns and mountainous region in the west, by the Japanese, is proving difficult, despite severe aerial bombardment. The Hattori detachment, hitherto protecting the Wall, has departed to participate in the final stages of the campaign. CHINESE COUNTER ATTACK PROPOSAL SHANGHAI, March 8. Chang Kai Shek announced that he is definitely prepared to fight and personally load the troops in a counter offensive in Jehol. JAPANESE DEMAND. FOR FURTHER CHINESE WITHDRAWAL. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received March 9 at 7.55 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 9. It is reported that the Chinese arc making feverish military preparations inside the Great Wall, with the intention of launching a counter attack on Jehol There is increasing tension. Foreign observers a r & prepared for any such eventuality and both the Chinese and Japanese authorities have been informed that extensive British and other foreign interests in North China cannot be ignored. The Japanese intend to issue a demand for tho Chinese to make a with drawal within a specified radius of Tientsin. The Japanese are pointing out that they cannot stand idly bj watching plans mature for their downfall and state they must take suitable action for self preservation. CHINESE DISSENSIONS. SHANGHAI, March 8. Newspapers are bitterly criticising Mr Soong (Finance Minister) alleging that he is largely responsible for the failure of the Chinese, by holding the purse strings and grabbing revenue without equipping the armies. A report current of the assassination of Tangyulin is regarded as highly probable, as the result of public clamour of death for the betrayer of Jehol. NO OPPOSITION IN JEHOL. SHANGHAI, March 8. A Tokyo message states that an independent and reliable American observer, who witnessed the occupation of Jehol, testifies to the orderliness of tho Japanese troops, stating they carefully avoided interference with civilian inhabitants, while the Chinese retreated without offering any serious military opposition.