TROOPS IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 11

TROOPS IN CHINA

PLAN FOE WITHDBAWAL WAR OFFICE EXPLANATION ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 13 The War Office announces that the decision of the British and French Governments to maintain in North China only such troops as are necessary for the protection of property and the maintenance of order was made for reasons of military convenience that had arisen from the conflict in Europe, states a British official wireless message. The Tokio correspondent of the British United Press says the newspapers note that neither Britain nor France has sacrificed any rights in North China as a result of the troop withdrawals. Neither has mentioned the possibility of solving the problems still at issue in Tientsin.

Commentators agree that the withdrawal will powerfully affect Chinese opinion and improve the outlook of Mr. Wang Ching Wei's Japanese-sponsored central Government.

A message from Washington says that the State Department denied reports that the British and French Governments had requested the United States to assure the protection of their concessions in Tientsin. It was pointed out that Britain still has as many troops in Tientsin as the United States.

The Secretary of State, Mr*. Cordell Hull, reiterated that the British reductions of troops in North China had not changed United States policy. There wore no immediate plans to move more United States troops to China or elsewhere.

It is recalled that the United States recently increased her Far East naval strength by commissioning new submarines for the Asiatic Fleet. There are now 1500 American troops in Shanghai, Peiping and Tientsin.

ATTACK ON U-BOAT

BRITISH AIRCRAFT BOMB SEEN TC HIT EXTENT OF DAMAGE DOUBTFUL British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 13 The Air Ministry announces an attack on an enemy submarine by British reconnaissance aircraft of the coastal command. The submarine was on the surface when the attack was delivered. It began to submerge rapidly as soon as the attack developed. A salvo of bombs was dropped to port and starboard. One appeared to the pilot to make a direct hit when the submarine was at periscope depth. This impression was confirmed by the air gunner.

The sea was very rough and the broken water made it impossible for signs of damage to be accurately observed.

SPIES BY PARACHUTE DISCOVERY IN FRANCE LONDON, Nov. 7 When British fighters brought down a German bomber at Hazebrouck two unarmed peasants hustled the unwounded but armed airmen away until soldiers arrived. They thus prevented the Germans from continuing the destruction of instruments and papers, which they had begun. It is asked whether the Nazis are landing spies by means of parachutes behind the lines, two such having been identified last month. Both sides followed this practice in the last war, when aeroplanes were far less efficient than now. All ranks in the Boyal Air Force have been ordered to pick up and send to headquarters pamphlets and other works dropped behind the lines by enemy aircraft.

DEARER PETROL INCREASE IN BRITAIN LONDON, Nov. 13 Petrol will cost Is 9Jd a gallon as from to-morrow. This is the highest price in 15 years. BRITAIN'S DANGER ZONES (Received November 14, 7.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 13 In a letter to the chairman of the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, the Minister of Health, Mr. Walter Elliot, says: "We shall in a day or two have completed the transfer of school children, mothers, and children under school age, expectant mothers, and other women from the thickly populated areas to relatively safer parts of the country"

EIRE'S NEUTRALITY WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 Mr. Robert Brcnnan, Eire Charge d'Affaires in Washington, expressed Eire's concern at being included in the Neutrality Act combat zone, and stressed his country's neutrality.