JAPAN’S DEFENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 15 November 1937, Page 5

JAPAN’S DEFENCE

SWEEPINGLY REFUTED BY POWERS DRAFT RESOLUTION ADOPTED VIOLATION OF CHINA NOT LEGALLY JUSTIFIED PRINCIPLE WOULD LEAD TO ANARCHY DISCUSSION AT BRUSSELS CONFERENCE | United ffi-cfis A-weisiion— Hy Electric Telegraph— Copy right: LONDON, I 3th November. Pleading to the Powers to withhold supplies from Japan and send help to China, the Chinese delegate. Dr. Wellington K.oo, in a bitter speech at the full session of the Brussels Conference, said: “The conference is back where it started. Neither a spirit of conciliation nor soft words arc of any avail with Japan. Instead she should be bluntly asked to collaborate in the interests of peace, lhe conference s efforts have been taken as a sign of weakness and have served only to inspire Japan s insolence. “Japan’s claim that her actions arc self-defensive is a deliberate distortion. China for years has patiently sought a peaceful settlement. The present conflict is the result of perpetual dual diplomacy, and has convinced China of the danger and futility of direct negotiations. Arc the Powers to accept changes by force of arms and condone treaty violations?” Dr. Koo appealed to them to contribute to the stability of peace by upholding treaty obligations. “If the conception of a change to violence prevails we are faced with international anarchy,” declared Mr Norman Davis, the American delegate. “We are pledged to work only for the immutable foundation of peace.” He was confident the conference could have helped China and Japan. 1 here were compelling reasons, including Japan’s material self-interest and world peace and progress, why they should co-operate. M. Delbos (France) said the problem could not be solved by force. It must be settled by peaceful means. 1 here was a danger of the conflict developing into a world war. Mr Anthony Eden said it was impossible for Britain to assent to the doctrine of conflict. The matter was one for China and Japan alone. Britain based her foreign policy on respect for international law. No other was acceptable.

“I cannot admit the principle that dislike of a nation’s Government or internal institutions justifies another’s interference in her internal affairs by force,” he said. "It is in the interests of both the Powers waging an undeclared war that an agreed settlement be found immediately. It is necessary carefully to consider the international situation which the Japanese reply has created. The only foundation for world peace is respect for treaties, not national ambitions, ideologies and alliances. We are not opposed to change, but if changes continue to be based on force, civilisation will proceed to its destruction with ever-increasing suffering.” M. Potemkin said Russia would support any peaceful action for the solution of the Far Eastern problem. The chairman, Dr. Spaak, submitted a draft declaration prepared by Britain, France, America, and Belgium, and the conference adjourned. The draft declaration, a seven-page document, sweepingly refutes Japan’s defence. It says Japan’s concept of the issue is entirely different from that of most other nations. The conflict concerns all countries, whether signatories of the Nine-Power I reaty or the Paris Pact. There is no legal justification for violating another country’s territory to prevent the spread of political doctrines. If Japan’s case were admitted it would lead to general anarchy. The Powers agree that as it has been declared that the purpose of Japan is to destroy the will and ability of China to resist, direct negotiations can only prolong the war indefinitely. In the event of Japan’s continued refusal to attend the conference the Powers must consider what attitude to take when one party claims to set aside a treaty which all others hold to be operative. The conference, with the exception of Italy, established a solid front against further consultation with Japan. The session resumed privately at 5 p.m., England, France, America, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Bolivia, Mexico, China, Sweden, Holland and Norway having supported the declaration. Italy, through Count Aldrovandi-Mariscotti, made general representations, and suggested asking Japan to elucidate the section of her reply inviting the conference to make a contribution to the consonant realities of the situation. This received no support, on which Count Aldrovandi-Mariscotti announced that Italy found the draft unacceptable. Mr Stanley Bruce, Australia, who was warmly applauded, lengthily supported the declaration. He said there was something greater behind the whole issue, namely, the sanctity of treaties and the honouring of the pledged word. The conference declaration was discussed, paragraph by paragraph, before the adoption of the draft in principle, subject to reference to the Governments concerned. The conference adjourned at 8 p.m. and will reassemble at 4 p.m. on Monday, when the declaration will probably be formally adopted, A modification of the draft included the elimination, at Russia’s instance, of any direct reference to Communism and also the suggestion of a further invitation being extended to Japan.

BOMBING OF SOOCHOW

ENORMOUS CASUALTIES It is reported from Shanghai that the Japanese line extends 62 miles from Liuho, via Siahochiao, to Kashan. International Red Cross members estimate the Chinese losses at 150,000 killed and 150,000 wounded. The remaining Chinese units isolated at Nantao escaped or were annihilated after the Japanese took control of Shanghai, while 5000 Chinese were interned in the French Concession, After the Japanese had occupied Naziang 10 miles north-west of Shanghai, their vanguard captured Anting, V< miles from Machechen, where skirmishers of the Hangchow landing force have already arrived. The road between these points is a veritable sepulchre for Chinese soldiers. The Japanese, heavily reinforced and close on the heels ox the retreating armies, have captured the important strategic point, Kiating, driving the Chinese defenders from the TatsangKunshan line. Huge fires are raging at Nantao. Many Chinese ollicials are proceeding to Hong Kong from Shanghai and numerous business administrations have been transferred to Nanking. Soochow was subjected to severe Japanese aerial bombing in pursuance of the invaders’ apparent aim to advance upon Hangchow, to the southwest, and Nanking, to the north-west. Chinese reports state that 80 Japanese transports with 50,00 Olroops aboard are standing by oil’ Woosung in readiness to complete the occupation of the entire Shanghai area.

NEXT JAPANESE OFFENSIVE WARNING LEAFLETS DROPPED 100,000 CHINESE TROOPS SAID TO BE TRAPPED SHANGHAI, 13th November. An indication that the next Japanese offensive will aim at smashing the Chinese left flank between Kiating and Liuho was contained in a leaflet warning dropped from the air for residents at Soochow, China’s Venice, to evacuate the place by midnight. From this it is feared the Japanese intend a mass bombing of the rather unapproachable city. The American Ambassador has requested the Japanese to observe a safety zone, including a hospital containing at least 20,000 Chinese wounded. Sandbags are already disappearing from Shanghai buildings now that the fighting has passed on. For the first time for three months the city is tranquil. The Chinese army is already 35 miles distant. The Domei News Agency at Tokio reports that 100,000 Chinese troops are trapped in the Japanese pincers at Chaochungchiao, south of Soochow Creek. The Japanese have reached Hashing, 50 miles south-east of Shanghai. The next stage of the drams will have Nanking as the background. The Domei Agency further stales that, fearing serious epidemics after the fighting in North China, tire Foreign Office dispatched, a medical mission to investigate conditions and decide preventive measures.

THREAT TO NANKING

defences being strengthened JAPANESE ADVANCE FROM i SHANGHAI I NANKING, Mth November. ! Defences outside and inside the eapi- ! tai, also on the river fronts, arc rapidly ! hein*;' strengthened because the Japan- j ese advance from Shanghai is assuin- j mg the appearance of a. grave threat to , Nanking itself. Nevertheless the Gov- j eminent is not moving further inland, I The Japanese, after the occupation of j Chauglchfu. in North Honan, are press- ; in« eastward against the Twcnlyninlh ’ Chinese Army. dll YANG OCCUPIED BY INVADERS i < Received 1 5th November. 1.40 p.m.) j LONDON, 14th November. The Tokio correspondent of "The I Times” says the Japanese have occu- j pied Chiyang, north of the Yellow | River. CHINA’S CRACK ARMY REPORTED DEFEAT AT KAOCHING| I CAPITAL OF SHANSI BOMBED j PEKIN, l.'Uh November. The Japanese announce that China’s crack Twenty-ninth Army was defeated at Knochcng, south-west of Pekin, near the junction ol Ihe Taiyunn-Peging-Hangkow railways. T’lic Japanese heavily bombed Sian* fu, the capital ol Shansi, from the air, destroying hangars and aeroplanes. The Emperor of Japan in a message to the army in north China admits that t lasting peace is still a long way off. I This contrasts with his speech on 4th j September indicating its speedy estab- ! lishment. The message appreciates the army’s courage in overcoming obstacles and urges it to redouble its efforts to attain its objective. “HIMDF.NBURG LINE” WILL BE SMASHED WITHIN 43 HOURS (Received lath November, 9.45 a.m.) SHANGHAI, 14th November. The Japanese claim to have entered Taitsing and Waiking and are confident of smashing the so-called Chinese “Hindenburg Line” from Tangtse to Hangchow Bay within 48 hours. AEROPLANES FOR CHINA (Received 15th November, 10.55 a.m.) HONG KONG, 14t.h November. Fifty British-made aeroplanes have arrived. Many were sent to China. portugueseTalarmed FORTIFICATIONS OF MACAU BEING STRENGTHENED (Received 15th November, 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, Mth November. Alarmed over the Far Eastern situation, the Portuguese are hurriedly strengthening the fortifications at Macau and are heavily increasing their warships and troops. Macau, on the Canton river, has an area of live square miles and a population of 157,175. DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BRITAIN I j MOVE BY JAPANESE POLITICIANS TOKIO, 12th November. The Conservative leader, Mr Teijiro Yamamoto, and other members of the House of Representatives have decided to organise a demonstration against the British attitude towards Japan. JAPANESE STAFF OFFICER VISIT TO CAPITALS BERLIN, 12th November. A member of the Japanese General Staff, Colonel Takahashi, has arrived after visiting Washington, London, Paris and Warsaw. He will confer with the Japanese Ambassador concerning the war situation.

PACIFIC COAST FISHERMEN BOYCOTT THREAT AGAINST JAPANESE ALLEGED SALMON POACHING SAN FRANCISCO, 13th November. The Fishermen’s Union and the Maritime Federation of the Pacific announced a boycott of Japanese goods and picketing of all Japanese ships on the Pacific Coast on 15th November unless the State Department protects Alaskan fishing grounds from the Japanese. It is alleged that the Japanese operate large floating canneries, depleting salmon by unseasonal and unregulated fishing. It is hoped the Stale Department will secure the withdrawal of the Japanese fleet. When informed by a Japanese spokesman that T*okio denied t'hat Japanese were fishing oh Alaska, the secretary of the Alaskan Fishermen’s Union issued a statement saying: “If this is Japan’s answer, we are ready to act. Wc have photographs and reports of investigators to substantiate our charges. We may not be ready to start the boycott on 15th November, but when we do there will not be a single Japanese ship to move cargo in or out of Pacific Coast ports, thanks to the support of 40,000 members of the Maritime Federation We have waited patiently for the Government to act. If it does not take drastic action quickly wc will take matters in our own hands.” IMPORTANT POSTS RE-CAPTURED CHINESE UNITS ACTIVE I I!y Telegraph —Prcsp Association! WELLINGTON This Day. The following cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul from Nanking:— “The Chinese re-captured Fengchin. Pinghu and Chuenkungting. three important strongholds along the Shang-hai-Ilangchow railway. Heavy fighting is still raging near Taipuan, which was iterally defended to the last man Chinese mobile units are most active in that area, and succeeded in cutting the communications of the Japanese forces at Shaoyang and Yangchuan. in East Shansi.