CHINA’S CONDITIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 10

CHINA’S CONDITIONS

HER MINIMUM TERMS. NEGOTIATIONS WITH JAPAN. (United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received July 20, 12.25 p.m. RULING, July 19. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, addressing education and technical leaders, said: “At this solemn moment Japan must- decide whether the Lioukouchiao incident will result in a major war between China and Japan. We are nob making war. We are meeting attacks against our existence. Wo seek peace, but not at any oost.” Describing them as tho minimum conditions possible as a basis for negotiations, Marshal Chiang said: “In the first place, any settlement must not infringe China’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights. “Secondly, any alteration in the status of the Hopei and Chahar Political Council cannot be allowed. “Thirdly, the removal by outside pressure of local officials appointed by the Central Government (such as the chairman of the Hopei and Chahar Political Council) cannot be allowed.

“Fourthly, we cannot allow any restriction cn the position held by the Twenty-ninth Army.” The Times Pekin correspondent says: “Tho Japanese military authorities have established, a censorship of the mails at the central post office at Tientsin. The foreign community is indignant at this step. The consular body is meeting to-morrow and is expected to lodge a strong protest. “Japanese, reinforcements continue to arrive. It is setimated that 35C0 have passed Shangkaikuan in 24 hours.”

SITUATION QUIETER

FUTURE STILL UNCERTAIN,

Received July 20, 11.60 a.m.SHANGHAI, July 19. China’s reply to Japan expresses readiness to open negotiations with Japan through the regular diplomatic channels, but it insists that any local settlement must he subject to the sanction of the Central Government and that sovereign rights must be preserved at all costs. The situation is quiet but the future will be uncertain until the purpose is known of Japan’s increased reinforcements in North China and the Chinese Government’s dispatch of troops and air units northward.