JAPANESE ULTIMATUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20986, 24 September 1931, Page 9

JAPANESE ULTIMATUM.

♦ manchurian crisis. CHINESE TROOPS AT KIRIN. WARNING /TO DISARM. SINISTER ALTERNATIVE HARBIN POSITION GRAVE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September 23. 11.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Sept. 23. The Japanese troops occupying Kirin. Northern Manchuria, have warned the Chinese troops that unless their arms are surrendered by noon force will he used and an attack will be launched on the unoccupied districts of Kirin. The staffs of, important Japanese concerns at Harbin are being removed from thjfc city and civilian volunteers are rolling the streets. Numerous messages announce the departure of a portion of the Japanese Second Division from Kirin to Harbin, where the Japanese Consular authorities / have requested additional protection, in consequence of several hostile demonstrations, including bomb-throwing and incendiarism. Japan's advance on Harbin is being watched with breathless interest in China. The movement is regarded as a direct affront to Russia. The Japanese control of Manchuria exlends hourly. It is estimated that 150,000 /. square miles are already occupied. In addition, Japan has seized most of the important railways, 200 military and commercial aircraft belonging to the Chinese and 100 passenger and freight railway carriages. Japanese warships are reported to have land#! troops at Tsingtao, Chinwangtao and numerous other important poris. CHECK ON MILITARY. CHINA SEEKS CONFERENCE. TOKIO CABINET CONSENTS. TOKIO, Sept. 22. The Japanese Cabinet had decided not to send troops to Manchuria, but General Minami. Minister of War, informed his colleagues that he had received a telegram from the Korean commandant stating that the garrison already had been despatched from there. . f General Doihara has assumed the Mayoralty of Mukden, but the Cabinet has telegraphed prohibiting any military demonstration in the Manchurian capital. Although the Japanese military forces are actually in control of the whole of South Manchuria, the Government has I . . agreed to China's suggestion that a joint conference be held for the settlement of outstanding questions. The position of the Japanese community K, Harbin -is critical. Troops are in leadiness to proceed to that city, a move which would constitute an invasion of the Eussian sphere. ACTION BY LEAGUE. MOVE TO AVOID WAR. . APPEAL TO TWO POWERS. GENEVA, Sept. 22. The Council of the League of Nations dealt with the Manchurian dispute. The Japanese and/Chinese delegates made contradictory statements regarding the origin of the developments. Viscount Cecil described the situation as grave and advised Ihe withdrawal of the Japanese and Chinese troops to their original positions. The Council authorised the President, Benor Lerroux (Spain), to address an urgent appeal to the Governments of China and of Japan to abstain from any act which might aggravate the situation in Manchuria, or prejudice a peaceful settlement of the question, and to seek means for the withdrawal by the two countries of their respective troops. PREPARED TO FIGHT. ATTITUDE OF CHINA. PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT. SHANGHAI. Sept. 22. In the course of an address before a full meeting of the Kuomintang, the President, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, stated that if the League of Nations and the signatory Powers to the KelloggBriand Peace Pact failed to uphold jus- ' tice, the National Government was prepared for a final, supreme struggle. China has officially denied conducting direct negotiations with Japan for a eettlement of'the Manchuria dispute. Japanese women and children have been ordered to evacuate Nanking tomorrow. ' NEGOTIATIONS POSSIBLE. INFLUENCE OF THE POWERS. (Received September 23, 11.13 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Sept. 23. It is understood that direct negotiations between the Nanking and Tokio Governments regarding (he Manchurian crisis are likelv as a result of the attitude of the L eague of Nations. i