TRUCE SIGNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21507, 2 June 1933, Page 9

TRUCE SIGNED

CHINA AND JAPAN great relief caused LONG WARFARE ENDS HEAVY COST IN LIVES TEEMS OF AGREEMENT By Telecrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Juno 1, 7.5 p.m.) PEKING, May 31 A Japanese communique announces that an armistice was signed at Tangkn at 11 a.m. to-day officially ending tho Sino-Japanese hostilities south of the Great Wall. The terms of the armistice are: — (1) The Chinese to withdraw to a line extending from Yenching, 4f> miles north-west of Peking, to Lutai, 90 miles to the south-east. (2) Tho Japanese to have the right, aerially or otherwise, to inspect this area in order to satisfy themselves that the withdrawal is completed. (.3) When so satisfied the Japanese are to withdraw to the Great. Wall. (4) The area between the line mentioned niul the Great Wall to bo policed by Chinese. (5) The armistice to be effective from to-day. / Political Issues not Involved An. indication that tho agreement was signed with tho full concurrence of Chinese Government leaders following upon the ruling of a conference is a statement issued by the President of the Executive Yuan, Mr. Wang Cliingwei, upon his roturn to Nanking. Mr. Wang said the -Sino-Japanese armistice negotiations were confined strictly to military matters, all political issues being untouched. This was evident from the Government's choice of delegates, since military officials were not vested with authority to discuss national affairs.

The President gave the Government's assurance that it would never sign away any Chinese territory. "Any local arrangement," he said, "docs rot affect China's territorial rights or international position, but is desiened .to give a breathiDg space to our sorelytried troops and distressed population." Large Area Demilitarised The truce has brought great relief. It is estimated that the Chinese lost 30,000 men and Japan 10,000 during the two years of intermittent fighting. The signing of the armistice will release the greater part of the Japanese troops for service against bandits in Manchuria and a proposed campaign for the eventual acquisition of the Kal-

gan area. The Chinese expect much hostility from the enemies of tho Government, but they agree that tho armistice represents tho best terms they could expect in tho circumstances. The treaty demilitarises an area inticle the Great Wall of approximately 000 square miles.

TIENTSIN AREA NEW BRITISH COMMANDER (-Received June 1. 6.5 p.Tii.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 31 The War Office announces that Colonel E. J. Ellis has been appointed commander of the Tientsin area, China.