THE EAR EAST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 142, 18 May 1932, Page 6

THE EAR EAST

The scene of conflict in the Ear Eastern disturbance has again shifted to Manchuria. After a period of doubt, in which it appeared that the deadlock between China and Japan* regarding the Shanghai operations would not be ended, the announcement was made on May 5 that an agreement had been signed securing local peace in that area. Hostilities ceased there on that day, and superintended by a commission, including a representative of the friendly Powers, the Japanese troops agreed to withdraw to the positions they occupied on January 28, the day when operations commenced at Shanghai with the bombardment of Chapei. The Chinese troops, _ on their part, were to remain in the positions occupied at the beginning of this month. When announcing the news of the agreement to the House of Commons, Sir John Simon paid a high tribute to the work of the British representative (Sir Miles Lampson) in conjunction with the Italian, French and United States Ministers. It was apparent shortly afterwards, however, that the Shanghai agreement had not ended the Ear Eastern strife. There have been sinister hints of conflict between Japan and the Soviet regarding Manchuria, and rumours of Japan’s intention to seize the Chinese Eastern Railway and expel Russian officials. The situation there appears to be no less grave than immediately before the fighting occurred at Shanghai. The Japanese are still operating against the banditry, and assert that 3500 acts of brigandage have taken place in little more than a month in the South Manchurian Railway zone. These, they allege, have been instigated by Manchuria’s former rulers. Meanwhile, the first report of the League Commission on Manchuria has been received at Geneva. It mentions the “general sense of insecurity,” _ and Japan’s adherence to the opinion that it is “impossible to withdraw her troops” for this reason. This trouble has dragged on for a considerable time and, unless a settlement is reached before summer sets in in the Northern Hemisphere, hostilities on a large scale are not an impossibility. 'Attention will be focussed on the League’s efforts to end the strife now that its commission is gaining first hand information.