JAPANESE ULTIMATUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 9

JAPANESE ULTIMATUM.

CHINESE MUST WITHDRAW. TIME EXPIRES TO-NIGHT. ALL DEMANDS REJECTED. T3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. Feb. 18. Despatches from Shanghai state that a Japanese ultimatum was issued to-night that (he Chinese must withdraw their forces 20 kilometres from Shanghai before midnight on Saturday. The conference between the rival military leaders failed and the Chinese rejected the Japanese demands for the withdrawal of their troops, declaring that, they would fight to the end. The rejected demands of the Japanese included tho demilitarism of Shanghai, together with the destruction of the fortifications in the Woosung area arid the immediate withdrawal of the Chinese forces. The meeting lasted two hours. The Chinese representative said he was not able to accept (he proposals and must refer (hem to his Government. Afterwards it was stated that the terms were communicated to the Chinese by the Japanese witJi a notification that Chinese troops must withdraw from their first lines by Saturday morning, and from their second lines by Saturday night. The Chineso authorities are believed to be engaged in drafting a reply. Artillery fire was again exchanged during the evening. AMERICAN FLEET. MORE SHIPS ADVOCATED. * FAR EAST SITUATION. "WASHINGTON. Feb. 18. The chairman of the Naval Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr. Carl Vinson, stated in the House to-day that the situation in the Far East was becoming more alarming. Ho urged that the United States fleet be built up to treaty limits. CHINA ANT) LEAGUE. MEETING OF ASSEMBLY. COMMITTEE UPHOLDS REQUEST. GENEVA. Feb. 18. The Jurists Committee of the League of Nations has upheld the Council's thesis supporting the Chinese application for the convocation of the Assembly to deal with the situation in the Far East.