SERIOUS RIGHTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1928, Page 7

SERIOUS RIGHTING

JAPANESE AND CHINESE. FORMER GREATLY OUTNUMBERED. WAR. WITHOUT FORMAL DECLARATION. (United Press Association.—By Eloctric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assocation.) Received May 9, 8.5 a.m. SHANGHAI, May 8.

Ignoring the agreement reached between themselves and the Japanese authorities to suspend hostilities pending the settlement of the Tsinan-fu affair, the Southern 'forces have resumed fighting. Hostilities are proceeding on a large and serious scale.

The Japanese are counter-attacking furiously.

The situation amounts to war without a formal declaration by either side.

Fighting commenced following the penetration of the Japanese sentry lines by a party of Southerners who commenced looting. The looting spread to several points of the city. The Southerners are reported to be 100,000 strong. The Japanese are outnumbered twenty to one. Reinforcements en route will bring the Japanese total t'o 13,000. The artillery employed by the Japanese is directing fire on the native quarter of Tsinan-fu, where the majority of the Southerners are billeted. Chinese civilians have been warned to evacuate. A great many are fleeing, panic-stricken, to the outlying districts. SCANTY NEWS FROM TSINAN. (United Service.) Received May 9, 11 a.m. TOKIO, May 8. The Nagoya division is mobilising and the official order to move will be issued on Saturday. Official news from Tsinan is scanty, leaving the authorities nervous. Reports from Ting-tao state that seventy British and Americans, who are in inland Shantung, are expected to reach that port to-night.

QUESTION OF INTERVENTION. EFFECT OF NINE-POWER TREATY,

JAPAN MAY HAVE TO EXPLAIN

(Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, May 8,

Japan may shortly be asked to explain whether, in its opinion, the movement of Japanese troops into Shantung constitutes intervention.

The State Department etimated today that under the 1922 Washington Nine-Power Treaty, which became effective in 1924, the Japanese, and other Foreign Governments interested in China, agreed never to intervene except when necessary to protect nationals; and if Japan is only interested in the protection of her 12,000 nationals resident in Shantung, there should ho no question of intervention involved.

CONDITION FOR MEDIATION

WHEN AMERICA WILL ACT

(Australian Press Association.—United Service.) Received May 9, 8.5 a.m. WASHINGTON, May 8.

The State Department announced today that the United States would consider mediation in Japan-Chinese Nationalists’ strife only on the invitation of both sides.

MISSIONARIES TAKE REFUGE

(Australian Press Association.) Received May 9, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, May 8

The China Inland Mission statos that 100 missionaries, not more than ten of whom are Australians, aro taking refuge, in Chefoo from the north and the interior. All are safe, nor are they likely to be endangered in the event of evacuation.

CAUTIOUS POLICY STRESSED

(Australian Press Association.) TOKIO, May 8. Cabinet is stressing the necessity of a cautious policy of protection and is continuing its deliberations. Meanwhile twenty transports and troops are ready waiting a decision, which is expected to-day.