STRONG TENSION

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1933, Page 5

STRONG TENSION

CHINA PREPARING

COUNTER-ATTACK AGAINST JAPAN

{United Press Association —By Electrio

Telegraph—Copyright;

SHANGHAI, March 9

It is reported that the Chinese are making feverish military preparations inside the Great Wall, with the intention of launching a counter attack on Jehol. There is increasing tension. Foreign observers are 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 the Chinese to- make a withdrawal within a specified . radius of Tientsin. The Japanese are pointing out that they cannot stand idly by watching plans mature for their downfall and state they must take suitable action for self preservation.

A Tokyo message states that an independent and reliable American observer, who witnessed the occupation of Jehol, testifies to the orderliness of the Japanese troops, stating they carefully avoided interference with civilian inhabitants, whilo the Chinese rotreated without offering any serious military opposition.

M. MATSUOKA AT THE HAGUE

THE HAGUE, March 9.

After inspecting the Krupp munition works at Essen. Germany; M. Mntsuoka (the Japanese delegate at the League of Nations) spent two days at The Hague, where he saw various diplomats. He informed journalists there that lie was greatly interested in the emigration of Japanese to Dutch New Guinea, where, he said, there was plenty of room for settlers. It would be excellent, he said, if a-non-aggression treaty between Holland and Japan were to be comnleted, in order to demonstrate Japan’s peaceful intentions toward Holland. M. Matsuoka said that an AmericanJ.apanese war was absolutely out of the question. The interests of both the countries lay in* mutual peace ana friendship. He added that it was the armament firms that were solely resnonsible for the talk of an armed, conflict between these Powers.

-JAPAN AND DTE ARMAMENT. r GENEVA, March 9-

Notifying Japan’s intention to continue to participate in the Disarmament Conference, a Japanese communication to the Chairman states that Japan’s determination to continue to the establishment 'of permanent and universal peace remains unshaken. The communication says: “We must, nevertheless, acquaint the Conference with the fact that we consider it indispensable to effect various modifications in the national defence oT the Japanese Empire in view of the changed conditions in the Far East. All of the relevant circumstances should be taken into account in any future discussion of the disarmament question.