CHINA AND JAPAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 11

CHINA AND JAPAN.

PEACE PROPOSALS. HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. SHANGHAI NEGOTIATIONS. LEAGUE AWAITS OUTCOME. POINTS OF DIFFERENCE. "By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received March 38, 5.45 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, March 17. The special committee appointed by (lie Assembly of tlio League of Nations to watch developments in the negotiations at Shanghai for a settlement of the Sino-Japanese dispute lield a private meeting at Geneva yesterday. The .president, M. Paul Hymans, said lie had been informed by the Japanese delegate, Captain Sato, that a provisional settlement had been reached between the Chinese and Japanese representatives for a permanent cessation of hostilities. After some discussion the committee decided, in view of the present state of the negotiations being conducted at Shanghai, to adjourn and to sit again only in case of emergency. Plans for Mutual Withdrawal. Press reports from Shanghai state that tlio draft proposals provide for (he Chineso troojis to remain in their present positions pending a later settlement, the Japanese troops to withdraw as far as possible within the International Settlement, a joint commission, with national observers, to ensure the mutual withdrawal. The Chinese Government is understood to have accepted the proposals as assisting further negotiations. The Japanese Government's reply has not yet been received. The Chineso are said to take exception to the form in which the third of their proposals has been referred to Tokio on the ground that it implies a revival of the proposal for a neutral zone. British Minister's Statement. Questioned in the House of Commons concerning the steps taken at Shanghai to carry out the proposals contained in the resolution of tlio League, the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, said that during the last day or two, on the invitation of the British Minister in China, Sir Miles Lampson, the Chineso and Japanese representatives at Shanghai had been meeting with Sir Miles and with representatives of Italy, France and the United States. His information was that these conversations had made some hopeful progress, though they had also indicated some difficulties. At tho moment, however, it was impossible to speak with complete confidence, said Sir John, and he desired not to prejudice the chance of a, final I agreement by a statement regarding the ! points of' controversy. i »