IN THE EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1932, Page 6

IN THE EAST

CANADIAN AIRMEN’S OFFER.

TO CHINESE GOVERNMENT. (■Received this day at 11.15 a.m.) (United Press Association.—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) OTTAWA, Feb. 24. That the proposal that a number of Canadian Hying officers, who, being retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force for reasons of economy, desired to organise two squadrons of fighting planes, together with the personnel, for Chinese Service, has been favourably received by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, was announced" here to-day by Dr L. 1. Tehvin, con-sul-general.

A cablegram from Nanking expressed interest, and asked for more details. The offer was to raise fifty officers and air mechanics.

CHINA’S CONFIDENCE SOARING LITTLE ACTIVITY REPORTED. (Received this day afc 11.15 a.m.) (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 24. There was little activity on the three fronts to-day, with the exception of Kiangwan, where the artllery continues a relentless bombardment of the Chinese lines also on the wide rear area, where the Chinese reported to have concentrated in large numbers.

Tazang village, once a thriving district, has now been pounded into a heap of grey ruins. The Japanese forces are resting awaiting the arrival of additional divisions before making a final drive across the Hong Kew creek. The confidence of the Chinese people is soaring daily as the result of a defiant stand made by the Chinese forces, and the failure of the Japanese, either to capture Chapei, or to pass the Chinese front lines. It is now indicated that Nanking is prepared to throw the whole weight of the Chinese military machine against the Japanese, and it is definitely certain that German advisers are behind the Chinese opposition.

AFFIRMED BY MR STIMSON. U.S. POLICY. WASHINGTON, February 24. In a sweeping reaffirmation of United 'States policy, Mr Stimson to-day, in a letter to Mr Borah, declared the whole fabric of international understanding in the Far East, including even the balance ol naval power agreed upon in 1921-22, was threatened by the SinoJapanese hostilities. It was partly because of the guarantees in the now disregarded Nine Power Treaty. Mr Stinison said that United (States had agreed to jgive up some of its' battleships and abandon the further fortfication of Guam and Philippines.

GREEK APPROVAL. JAPAN’S REPLY. GENEVA, February ~ . Greece has approved ol France’s disarmament proposals. Japan handed a nq-iy to tin; League re,Orating the Council of twelve’s appeal should have been made to China. DELIBERATION IN U.S.A. SENATE THE NINE-POWER TREATY. WASHINGTON, Feb. 24. The United State stood firmly Jo-day behind tile “Open Door” policy in China, and disputed Japan’s claim that the Nine-Power Treaty should be revised because China was not able to maintain order.

In an open letter to Senator Borah, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Eolations’ Committee, the Secretary Mr H. L. Stimson, said that the observance ol treaties would have avoided the present situation, and no evidence had come to the United States Government that compliance with them would have interlorred with the protection of all legitimate foreign rights in China lhe Nine-Power Treaty, ,\lr Stim.son wrote, was entered into at a time when China was engaged in an attempt to develop free institutions. The Powers realised that China would require many years to attain that end. and the, 1 reat-.v thus was a convenant of selfdenial among the signatory Powers in deliberate renunciation of any policy of' aggression, which might tend to interiere with that development.