FAR EAST CONFLICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 21 July 1937, Page 9

FAR EAST CONFLICT

AGREEMENT REACHED. IN TERMS OF TRUCE. NANKING APPROVAL AWAITED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) TIENTSIN, July 20. Japanese headquarters announce an agreement with. General Chang-Tze-chung, leader of the Twentyninth Army, in fulfilment of the terms of the truce of July 11 to suppress Communism and the anti-Japanese movement subject to the approval of Nanking, implying a modification of the previous policy. INSINCERITY CLAIMED. “AGREEMENT HAS BEEN BROKEN.” Received July 21, 10.30 a.m. TOKIO, July 20. Cabinet has decided that it is compelled to take adequate measures for self-defence in view of the Chinese insincerity regarding the observance of the truce agreement. The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr K. Hirota) has reported the decision to the Emperor. The Army spokesman described to the Associated Press the present time as the eleventh hour in the Si'no-Japa-nese crisis due to the multiplying of the clashes near Pekin, and Nanking’s evasive rejection of Japan’s requests for localisation of the trouble and the withdrawal of Nanking’s troops which, on the contrary, are massing in increasing numbers in the Pekin region, thus definitely breaking the agreement. Accordingly, the Japanese Army has announced that it assumes full liberty of action. The Premier of Manchukuo lias issued a statement declaring that Japan is resolved to launch punitive action against the illegal Chinese elements in Manchukuo ready to support her. It is understood that a vita) meeting of the Japanese Cabinet was held this afternoon. PUNITIVE MOVEMENT. WANG PING BOMBARDED. TIENTSIN, July 20. According to the Domei Agency the Japanese began a punitive movement against Pekin at 7.30 a.m. (British standard time). They bombarded Wangping, a few miles west of the capital. The bombardment of Wangpmg, which was the seat of the first trouble, terminated in half an hour. FIGHTING MAY EXTEND. OUTBREAKS AROUND PEKIN. Received July 21, 10.10 a.m. ' PEKIN, July 20. The Japanese after their earlier unsuccessful attack, again bombarded Wangping, rushing up heavier artillery from Fengtai. Using incendiary shells, they destroyed a Chinese barracks and two watch towers at Lioukouchiao. Th© lighting that has broken out at other points on the Pekin sector threatens to become general. CITIZENS WARNED. MAY HAVE TO LEAVE NANKING. Received July 21, 10 a.m. PEKIN, July 20. The train service from Pekin to Tientsin has been suspended. A Nanking message states that fighting has broken out at Fengtai". The Japanese Consulate has warned citizens to prepare to leave Nanking at short notice. Tokio reports state that Japanese ’planes dropped leaflets over Wangping ordering tl' e civil population to evacuate the district, adding that Japan would no longer tolerate Chinese provocation. The War Office at Tokio has issued a statement that the Japanese forces were compelled to return the fire of Chinese troops at Wangping in order to silence the Chinese artillery.