FAR EAST CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 11

FAR EAST CRISIS

CHINESE ALARMED INTENTIONS OF JAPAN FEABS FOB MANCHUBIA OCCUPATION BUMOUB .WARSHIPS OFF COAST By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 1, 7.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Sept. 1 Grave fears and anxiety arc entertained tv the Chinese communities at Shanghai and at Nanking as the result of the publication at Nanking of a semi-official report alleged to be based on military intelligence, concerning a scheme of Japanese militarists to bring a climax to events and set in motion the Japanese occupation of Manchuria. The scheme is said to embrace the temporary seizftire of the ports of Tsingtao, Shanghai, Swatow and Amoy with the object of isolating Chinese troops and preventing tbqir despatch to Manchuria. Also, it is saiil, the Japanese intend to prevent the entry of arms and ammunition. The Japanese forces in Manchukuo, it is stated, will commence ,r. movement in the meantime for the seizure of Jehol, the territory lying between Mongolia and Manchuria.

Large numbers of Japanese warships are reported lo be passing between Tsingtao and Chefoo.

BANDITS AT MUKDEN RENEWED ATTACKS SEVERE FIGHTING REPORTED / (Received September 1. 6.5 p.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 1 Reports' from Mukden, Manchuria, state that the bandits who were repulsed on Monday renewed their attacks last night in greatly .increased -if.mbers. The bandits are evidently well armed. [Very severe fighting continues. The attackers number more than 5000. The Japanese Con.vul-General at Sydney has forwarded a copy of a speech delivered in the Diet on August 26' by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Count Y. Uchida, giving reasons why his Government considers that the' recognition of the new Manchurian State, - Manchukuo, is the only means of solving the Manchurian problem. Count "Cchida stated inter alia:—" Those who seek to place upon Japan the responsibility for~ the Manchurian revolution by tracing the independence of Manchukuo directly f.o our military operations simply labour under ignorance of the facts and their opinions altogether miss the point. Again, as regards those who fancy they detect a secret connection of some sort on the part of Japan with the foundation of the new State, basing their suspicions on the fact" that' there" are in fact a number of Japanese in the employ of the Manchukuo Government, I need only point to the existence of many precedents for the enlistment by a young Government or newly-founded Slate of the services of foreigners. " Manchukuo has come into being as a result of j separatist movements within China herself. • Consequently the view expressed in certain quarters that the recognition by Japan of the new' State thus created would constitute a violation of • the stipulations of the Nine Power Treaty is in my opinion incomprehensible. The Nine Power Treaty does not forbid all separatist, movements in China or debar Chinese in any part of the country from setting up, of their free will, an independent Hence, should Japan extend recognition to the existing Government of (Manchukuo founded by the will of the people..' of Manchuria, she would not. thereby, as a signatory Fower the Nine Power Treaty, violate in any way the stipulations of that treaty. ' " With regard to tbt, question of finding H solution, for the Manchurian problem, the Japanese Government attaches the greatest importance to the following two points -.—(1) That in seeking a satisfactory solution we should aim at the fulfilment of the' legitimate aspirations of the Manchurian people, at adequate guarantees for the rights and interests of iJapan, at the prevention—in order to make Manchuria a safe place to live in alike for Manchurians and foreigners—of any recrudescence of the erstwhile anti-foreign policy and movements, and finally at bringing "not only stability to Manchuria, but permanent peace to the Far East. " (2) That such solution should be affected -by rejecting all sentimental propositions and abstract theories and' arrived at : upon the solid basis of the realities of the situation. In view of the circumstances that led to the occurrence of the incidents of last September and the immense sacrifices our country has been compelled to make, in the past, the Japanese Government feels the imperious need of arriving at a fundamental solution of the Manchurian problem on the lines of these, two propositions end of eliminating for all time the causes of secular Sino-Japanese conflict. " As regards the conditions prevailing in China proper, I regret to say that the growing disturbance in her domestic administration, coupled with the rampant activities of Communist bandits through* out an extensive area in the Yangtse Valley and South China, is casting a gloomy shadow on the path of the National Government. Besides," as the anti-foreign, <>speciallv the anti-Japanese movement, still continues unabated, further complications are. likely to arise in the foreign relations of China, which in turn will make her internal confusion worse confounded."

FEARS CREATED BOYCOTT AT SHANGHAI ACTIVITIES INTENSIFIED SHANGHAI, Aug. 31 An intensification of anti-Japanese boycott activities, including a campaign of bomb • throwing, is creating apprehension at Shanghai. Two Japanese cruisers and / fotfr destroyers, which arrived this morning, failed to allay the anxiety. The commander of a Japanese naval landing party submitted a strong protest to the Mayor of Greater Shanghai, General Wu /Te-chen, against the propaganda carried on by the Chinese press, and demanded that action be taken to end it. He added that unless a favourable reply was received a formal demand for the closure of the offices of offending newspapers would be submitted. China is pinning her faith on the report- of the Commission of the League of Rations, Avhich held its last meeting at Peking, prior to proceeding to Geneva, ihe general indications from Japan are that the Commission can only report up fait accompli in Manchuria.