MEDIATION PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 11

MEDIATION PLAN

JAPANESE BEPOKT APPROACHING AMERICA' CHINESE MOVE SUGGESTED^, (Beceived October 25, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 The Chinese Government ' has made important proposals to the United States Ambassador to China, Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, .possibly in conmiction with overtures for American mediation in the Sino-Japanese war, states a Domei news agency report - The proposals, it is hinted, are linked with those made by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Chung-hui, last jtaonth. Japanese press reports state that the United States is contemplating somo active intervention in China. Japan's Difficulties Japan has increased her efforts to improve her relations with the United States, and to find ground 'for solution of her difficulties with Russia, 11 but the indications are that both are meeting with difficulties, states the Tokio correspondent of the British United Press. The difficulty in the negotiations with Russia has been increased by reports that the Soviet is sending arms to China. A date has not'yet been fixed for the conversations between the Japanese Foreign Minister, "Admiral Nomura, and the United States Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Joseph Grew, about a temporary agreement after the expiration, of the commercial', treaty on January 26, 1940. British In Shanghai Reliable sources state the British military authorities have the Shanghai Municipal Council they are unablo to provide additional troops to defend the International Settlement border, due to the extent of their present lesponsibilities, says a Shanghai message. The people of the settlement have concluded that any important measure of military aid must conie from the United States. A group of Shanghai Americans has sent a resolution to the United States. Secretary of State, Mr. Corded Hull, asking for increased support from Washington for the maintenance of the American position in Shanghai,

The Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Chung-hui, suggested on September 27 that the United States Government was in a favourable position : to act as mediator and bring the Sino-Japanese hostilities to an^ .early end. The Minister outlined the basis for an honourable peace as follows:—(1) Enforcement of the Nine-Power Treaty. (2) Economic co-operation between all friendly nations,including Japan, if she is willing to co-operate on a basis of equality.

MONGOLIAN DISPUTE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS WIDER SETTLEMENT HOPED JAPAN TURNS TO AMERICA NEW YORK, Oct. 2-1 The breakdown in the Russo-Japan-ese negotiations in Outor Mongolia is really a dispute over the scope of the. exchange of prisoners embodied in the recent armistice, states the Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. G. E. R. Gedye. The Soviet contends that the ex- « change includes Russian airmen -and others imprisoned in Manchukuo. The Japanese insist that it does not, hence the deadlock. Negotiations are at present being conducted in Moscow as to whether a wide settlement, that has already been . discussed, cannot be confirmed. The cessation of propaganda suggests that both countries are preparing an atmosphere in which wider adjustments l will be possible. ' -•

The Japanese, however, have really sot their hearts on n settlement with the United States, since they distrust Russia, which believes that;the European war practically eliminates British and French competition in China.

POPPIES FOR TROOPS DONATION BY THE KING . LONDON, Oct. 24 An inquiry is being mndo by General .Homltjtutrtors of-- tho British Expeditiuimry I<\»ixh> us to tho possibilities of sales of poppies to officers «ml other ranks. , . The King bus sent a special donation of £IOO l'or the 1939 Poppy, Day Appeal Fund for the British Legion, i ittva a British Wireless mcsi-ago. It in A that tho troops in Franco will .Ji be wearing poppies on November 11. Jrl?