SHANGHAI TENSION

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 February 1932, Page 7

SHANGHAI TENSION

AWAITING ZERO HOIK FIERCE BATTLE EXPECTED WORST IN CITY HISTORY DENOUNCIATION BY MAYOR BRUTAL MURDER OF CHINESE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received 12.30 p.m. to-day. SHANGHAI, Teb. 19. The Mayor, Mr Wu, characterised the Japanese actions as “brutal murder of our people,” adding that the Government was prepared to bear the full responsibility for rejecting the Japanese demand. All hopes of averting hostilities are now blasted and the worst fears of foreign observers will apparently be realised. All fronts are comparatively quiet at present, but Shanghai expects to experience the worst fighting in her history some time to-day.

BRITISH CONSUL’S WARNING MENACING OUTLOOK. DANGER, FROM SHELLS Rleceived 1.30 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, Feb. 19. The Far Eastern situation continues to engage the anxious attention of Ministers and a, further meeting of the Cabinet committee was held in the House of Commons this afternoon. Hopes have not yet been abandoned that peace efforts may prove successful, but the outlook is menacing. Meanwhile representations have again -been made- to the Chinese and Japanese, warning each side that they will he held strictly responsible for any loss of life and property of British nationals within the Shanghai International Settlement caused by the respective armed forces A general warning was issued to-day by the British Consul General pointing out that a resumption of -fighting may be oil a large -scale with the danger of shells landing in the Settlement, especially in the Hongkow and Yangtsepoo district. British subjects are advised to take cover while the fighting is in progress. The defences are considered sufficient to prevent actual fighting occurring within the Settlement.

A scheme lias been prepared for tlie evacuation of British women and children at Shanghai should such a step become necessary. Latest Press telegrams state that General Tsai Ting Kai, the local Chinese commander and other officials in the Shanghai area, having repudiated General Uyeda’s ultimatum, referred it to the Nanking authorities. Nanking is reported to have replied it is willing to order the withdrawal of Chinese troops as requested only if the Japanese troops are withdrawn a similar distance to the satisfaction of neutral investigators. Refusal m given Japan’s request for the dismantling of the Woo-sung forts-. DEBATE BEFORE LEAGUE.

A full meeting of the League Council was held later in public. In response to China’s appeal under Article 15 of the Covenant, M. Boncour, who presided, said the Council would present a draft resolution on the Shanghai question. Dr. Yen, in a statement, declared the Japanese were carrying on what amounted to war. They were on the eve of a. great battle in which 100,000 men were awaiting the hour set by the Japanese. He asked the Council to take immediate preventative measures to avoid further bloodshed.

Mr Sato, the Japanese delegate, said the Japanese had expended efforts to stop hostilities and had made many proposals. Until yesterday they had hoped agreement could be reached. Unfortunately that was not the case. The Japanese demand for the withdrawal of Chinese troops had been made for military security. Tlie Covenant of the League was set up to regulate affairs between organised countries and did n-ot apply to China. Other States with interests in China had had to intervene in the same manner as they were doing now. The Council could not impo-se idealistic decisions-, but should try to find an efficacious, adequate way* of solving tho difficulty. Only if China were organised could Manchuria be restored to her.

Independence in Manchuria really implied autonomy, for without autonomy Manchuria would not bo safe from arbitrary measures of the Chinese Government and would not exist in peace. Japan had no idea of annexing Manchuria. What Japan wanted was to retain her field of action in Manchuria and to maintain the principle of an open door. CONCERN IN BRITAIN EMERGENCY COMMITTEE. MEMBERS OF CABINET. Received J.lO p.m.. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 19. The' situation at Shanghai necessitated that the Admiralty and War Office should remain open all night until further notice as during the Great War.

An emergency committee of the Cabinet including Mr. Stanley Baldwin Sir John Simon. Lord Hailsham, Sir Balton Ayres-Monsell. Sir Samuel Ho a re, Mr. Neville Chamberlain and Mr. J. H. Thomas was formed and is ready to meet at an hour’s notice at any * time, day or night. Ministers have cancelled week-end engagements.

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING*. COMMITTEE OF TWELVE. Received 1.40 p.m. to-dav. GENEVA, Feii. 19. The Committee of Twelve is summoning an urgent meeting of the Council this afternoon to consider the situation at Shanghai and convene a special meeting of the Assembly.