WAR OVER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 March 1932, Page 5

WAR OVER

JAPANESE ORDER 10 CEASE FIRING CHINESE.DRIVEN BEYOND 20 KILOMETRE ZONE TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM IN JAPANESE LINES SUDDEN CESSATION LEAVES PEACEMAKERS IN AIR

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SHANGHAI, 3rd March. The Japanese officially ceased firing at 3 o’clock this afternoon, General Shirakawa issuing a notification to the troops to halt the advance and also hostilities, unless attacked by Chinese. Simultaneously Admiral Nomura, commander of tlie third fleet, announced the cessation of hostilities, the Japanese having achieved their objective, the Chinese being driven beyond the twenty kilometre zone. An official announcement on these lines was issued by the Japanese Consulate, The news was received with tremendous enthusiasm in the Japanese lines, soldiers and bluejackets cheering, shouting “banzai” (a salutation to the Emperor), dancing and waving arms. The Japanese civilian population and officials are entertaining lavishly. Flags are fluttering on Japanese property.

HOUSE OF COMMONS TRIBUTES TO PEACEMAKERS CHEERS FOR UNITED STATES 'British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 3rd March. A situation of some complexity exists regarding the actual position in Shanghai. When the League Assembly met at Geneva this evening the Chinese delegate, Mr Yen, declared that negotiations .for an armistice had broken down. When the Japanese delegate, Mr Matsudsira, spoke immediately afterwards he read a telegram stating that the Japanese military and naval commanders had signed an order for all their troops to halt on their present positions and cease lighting, provided the Chinese took similar action.’

In the House of Commons a Japanese order to cease hostilities from 2 p.m. was announced.

Shanghai press messages state that a further meeting arranged between the Japanese and Chinese authorities did not take place, lmt the commander of the Chinese nineteenth army is reported to have ordered a cessation of hostilities as from to-night. Some slight firing by Chinese from new positions occurred during the day, but it is possible this may have resulted from the confusion consequent on the rapid developments of the last few hours.

A hopeful view of the situation was taken by Capt. Eden, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons. He recalled that proposals for the cessation of hostilities were forwarded to the Chinese and Japanese Governments by their authorities in Shanghai, and a final reply from the Japanese Government was received at Shanghai last night. On Ist March the representative at Nanking of the British Minister in China was informed by the Chinese Foreign Minister that a retirement of Chinese troops was intended, and this took place over the whole front yesterday. As a result of those events" the Japanese authorities gave orders to cease hostilities as from 2 p.m. to-day. Sir Howard Kelly informed the Chinese accordingly, who, he understood, agreed to issue similar orders. A further conference will take place on 11.M.5. Kent. Captain Eden added that while these efforts were being made ati Shanghai.'tlie •' League Council was in no way relaxing its efforts for a further liquidation of the situation. There were good grounds for anticipating a satisfactory solution. The Commons paid a tribute to the efforts of Sir Miles Lampson and Admiral Kelly at Shanghai, and Sir John Simon at Geneva, for their peace efforts, and cheered reference bv Captain Eden to the. “Welcoriie and invaluable co-operation by the United States with the powers represented on the League Council.” At this evening's Assembly meeting Mr Yen, in declaring that the armistice negotiations had broken down, attributed this to the failure of the Japanese to carry out the proposals agreed upon at a meeting on Admiral Kelly’s flagship on 28th February. Chinese troops had been withdrawn on the strength of that agreement. He read the terms of Japan’s reply dated today, which set out conditions imposing the terms of a conqueror, which China would not accept. He appealed to the Assembly to establish an armistice in conformity with the terms reached aboard the British flagship and in con funnily with the spirit of the League Covenant.

Mr Matsudsira (Japan) having read the terms of a telegram ordering the Japanese troops to eease fighting, contended that his country was justified in every action taken during the Far Fasteni trouble. Ho again declared Japan harboured no territorial designs.