FEARS INTENSIFIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 13

FEARS INTENSIFIED

OF SiNO-JAPANESE WAR NANKING GOVERNMENT MOBILISING FORCES IMPASSE IN NEGOTIATIONS (United Proas Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right) SHANGHAI, 2nd October. Fears of a Sino-Japanese war have intensified. The Nanking Government is reported to be mobilising huge forces of over 70,000 soldiers, guarding the Nanking-Hangkow-Shanghai rail system. Japanese marines have virtually occupied Hongkow.

British naval authorities are preparing to evacuate British women and children from Yangtse' ports in the event of emergency.

The possibility of the Japanese blockade of Yangtse ports is feared as the result of a serious impasse in the Sino-Japanese negotiations. The firmness of China towards Japanese demands has thrown Japanese diplomatic quarters into consternation, and they are now pessimistic of success in the negotiations. A renewed exodus of Chinese from Hongkow and Chapei follows the tension.

The death sentence on two Chinese on a charge of shooting a Japanese marine at Hongkow in November 1935 has caused satisfaction in Japanese circles but it has not lessened the tension.

The Japanese consul at Changsha alleging that the Chinese police are hushing up an alleged attempt to blow up his residence, is protesting to the Hunan Government.