U.S.A. VOLUNTEERS

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1937, Page 9

U.S.A. VOLUNTEERS

SEVEN THOUSAND ENLIST To Fight For China [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received August 6, 7.50 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 5. The United Press correspondent at Los Angeles learns that no fewer than seven thousand Americans, who are chiefly ex-servicemen, including one thousand aviators, have enlisted for service with the Chinese Army against the Japanese. The men have enlisted with Lieu-tenant-General Hearn, who was formerly Staff Officer for the Manchurian Chinese leader, General Chang Tsolin. The United Press correspondent adds: Of course their activities will remain secret, this being due to the fear that the American authorities may interfere, owing to the provisions of the United States Neutrality Law. U.S.A. PILOTS FOR CHINA. TOKIO, August 5. The Government, irritated by reports that the Chinese are engaging American pilots and are buying American ’planes and shipping, intends pointing out that this will have an unfavourable effect on relations between Japan and the U.S.A.

Chinese Opinion DIVISION AT NANKING. BETWEEN PEACE AND WAR. (Received August 6, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 6. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says: Military and other official confabulations at Nanking are still proceeding, but without result. An important section of Chinese opinion clearly favours a compromise though Japan has left little room for it, as she already has moved the headquarters of the East Hopei Government to Peking, and is bombing Chinese troop trains hundreds of miles further south. Commercial circles in Shanghai still refuse to believe that war is unavoidable, though they admit that the cost of avoiding it may be ruinous, as, at least, it will mean the surrender of a large slice of Chinese territory. “THE TIMES” ADVERSE CRITICISM. OF JAPAN’S POLICY. (Received August G, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 6. “Once more, Japan’s contribution to the stabilisation of Eastern Asia turns out to be ‘smash and grab,’ ” says “The Times.” “She is mistaken if she thinks that her actions of the past month, and the punitive policy contemplated, have impressed _ the world with anything save her irresponsibility. “Japan seems bent on a course which must gravely damage her standing in the eyes of the world.” BRITISH AMBASSADOR. RUGBY, August 4. Sir Robert Craigie, Ambassador-de-signate to Japan, and Lady Craigie, sailed for Tokio, which they hope to reach on September 3rd. Sir Robert Craigie was formerly the first Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign Office. CHINESE LOSSES. TOKIO, August 5. It is estimated that 2,500 Chinese were killed at Nanyuan, and 150 at Tungchow. A Pekin message states that the Japanese rounded up and annihilated 250 Chinese police, who, it is alleged, participated in the Tungchow massacre. The Japanese disarmed 8,200 Chinese in Peiyuan, Tungchow and West Pekin. They also captured four fieldguns, four howitzers, eleven trenchmortars, over 200 Czech machine-guns 5,000 rifles, and quantities of revolvers and swords. JAPAN’S INTENTIONS. , TOKIO, August 5. Revealing that Japan was negotiating with China, simultaneously with military operations, M. Hirota, in the House of Representatives, added that it was hoped to settle the troubles in North. China, also to regulate foundamental Sino-Japanese relations. China and Japan, he said, should co-operate against Communism, which was responsible for fanning anti-Japanese sentiments. Japan must deal sympathetically with whatever China wants from Japan, in order to break the deadlock. M. Sugiyama, speaking on the estimates debate, in the Diet, said it was doubtful whether the Japanese garrison would be able to maintain its present attitude, in face of the steady advance of Chinese troops to North China. The Japanese were fully prepared for punitive measures, if the Chinese assumed the offensive. Japanese Liners TAKEN OFF INDIA RUN. FOR USE AS TRANSPORTS. (Received August 6, 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 6. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Bombay correspondent reports that the sailings from Japan of four Japanese liners on the Tokio-Bombay service have been cancelled. It is understood that the Japanese Government has chartered their vessels to convey troops and war materials to China. Parade of Power MADE LN PEKING. BY JAPANESE FORCES. (Received August 6, at 7 p.m.) ; LONDON, August 6. A Peking message states: A motorised column, comprising five hundred vehicles, including tanks and armour- ; ed cars, manned by fifteen hundred men, carried the Japanese flag through Peking, before marching to Tungchow. Silent sullen crowds of Chinese watched the victors’ first parade of their military power, which the Jap- : anese residents of Peking greeted J with showers of flowers.