CONCILIATION EFFORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 9

CONCILIATION EFFORTS.

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. INTERVENTION OPPOSED. DISAPPOINTMENT CAUSED. NEGOTIATIONS URGED. By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyright. GENEVA, Feb. 3. The refusal of Japan to permit the League of Nations or any other outside body to mediate in the Manchuria- dispute ■was actively discussed here. The Japanese delegate, Captain Sato, lodged a protest against intervention by the League under Article 15 of the Covenant. Disappointment is expressed in League circles in regard to Japan's obduracy, but it is felt that the cessation of acts of violence and the mutual •withdrawal of troops will pave the vrav to a truce which would enable China and Japan to_ negotiate their differences. In British diplomatic circles it is emphasised that the proposals of the Powers should not be misconstrued as an ultimatum. CHINA AGEEES. NO CONDITIONS MADE. JAPAN RESISTS TWO CLAUSES. SHANGHAI. Feb. 3. The Chinese Government has unconditionally agreed to the joint proposals of the Powers for a suspension of hostilities. Japan has agreed to all the proposals except two. These include the one suggesting a settlement of the dispute on the basis of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the BriaDd-Kellogg Anti-War Pact. GEE MAN ATTITUDE. PEACEFUL CO-OPERATION. REPRESENTATIVES INSTRUCTED. BERLIN. Feb. 3. The German Government has instructed its representatives at Tokio and Nanking to associate Germany with the proposals of the Great Powers for the cessation of hostilities at Shanghai in order to achieve a peaceful solution.

! JAPAN BLAMES CHINA. PRIME MINISTER'S CASE. CHARGE OF AGGRESSION. WASHINGTON. Feb. 3. The Tokio correspondent of the United Press states that m an exclusive interview to-day Mr. Tsuyosbi Inukai, Prime Minister, outlined Japan's position. He said;— (1) "The Shanghai incidents and the Manchnnan affair are entirely separate matters. 12) " Both were dae to similar causes—violent Chinese military attacks. (3) " The Japanese did not drop bombs on the Chinese city of Shanghai or the International Settlement. The attack was directed exclusively against the attacking Chinese Army, also the tension between Japanese and Chinese in Shanghai in the presence oi overwhelming Chinee forces outside the city sadly resulted in riots and atrocities. The Japanese are in terror of their lives. " Precipitancy of Chinese Armies." (4i " The Chinese without provocation attacked the marines in force after giving definite assurances for the future to the Japanese in Shanghai. the Japanese in China is contrary to her treaty on commerce. The boycott is universal throughout China and has been enforced by terrorists, exercised by the party in control and countenanced by the tacit encouragement of the Government. It is not a spontaneous and popular movement." Mr. Inukai concluded by stating: " Japan infinitely deplores the occurrences -which have been forced upon her fay Chinese militarism. She has ab-eadv lost precious lives in Shanghai and Manchuria. "While appreciating sincerely America's devotion in the cause of peace I am certain that the people of America and Europe, with tbeir well-known sense of fairness, will recognise that peace was not endangered by the acts of Japan, but by the inconsiderate precipitancy of the armies of China.' Comment by Members of Senate. The chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, Mr. W. E. Borah, said: "The statement of the Prime Minister of Japan is an amazing one. We have been advised by the most reliable press reports that bombs were dropped on the Chinese city at Shanghai and did great injury to civilians there. Now we are told that do such things occurred. •' The dead at Shanghai and the burned portions of the city all want further explanation. " Mr. G. H. Moses, Republican member of the Senate for New Hampshire, expressed surprise at the statement and <!aid: "There may be some humorists in the Japanese Foreign Office." The State Department and the Vt'hite House studied the statement, but made do comment.

WEDNESDAY'S BATTLE. OUTSKIRTS OF SETTLEMENT. JAPANESE ASKED TO RETIRE. f SHANGHAI. Feb. 3. A battle is raging between Chinese and Japanese in the Cbapei and Hoagkew areas on the outskirts of the International Settlement. Additional American and British reinforcements arrived to-day. Brigadier-General G. Fleming has informed the Japanese that it is imperative that they withdraw from the settlement proper into the extra-settlement territory, and the Japanese are reported to have agreed.