FAR EAST CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 9

FAR EAST CRISIS

A JAPANESE SUCCESS KIANGWAN CAPTURED ADVANCING ON TAZANG (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph--Copyright.) LONDON, February 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 1.40 a.m.) A Shanghai message states that the Japanese have captured Kiangwan. They have crossed the railway line and are advancing on Tazang. MEDIATION BY POWERS A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY LONDON, February 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 0.15 a.m.) The Telegraph says: “ The opinion in diplomatic circles in London is that an opportunity will arise for a renewal of attempts at mediation when the Japanese have pushed back the Chinese 12 to 20 miles from Shanghai. The Powers will then seek to persuade China to accept a demilitarised zone under their collective guarantee, Japan has pledged herself to accept some such solution.” SHELLING OF SETTLEMENT CHINESE REPLY TO PROTEST SHANGHAI, February 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 0.30 a.m.) The Chinese have replied to a joint foreign protest regarding the shelling of the settlement, stating that they cannot accept responsibility since the settlement is used as a Japanese military base. , THE KIANGWAN FIGHTING JAPANESE RETIRING SHANGHAI, February 23. Kiangwan witnessed heavy fighting this morning. The Japanese advanced their lines a short distance, hut met with stubborn Chinese defence. The Japanese are retiring and are awaiting an artillery bombardment to destroy the Chinese elaborate trench systems before making further infantry attacks. It is revealed that enormous damage was wrought by yesterday’s Chinese bombardment. Scarcely a house in Dixwell road and the North Szechuen area escaped, where whole terraces were destroyed. The havoc is only excelled by the Chapei ruins just across the boundary. Chapei is quiet. Commander Shen, chief of the Chinese aviation forces at Shanghai, reported that Robert Short, an American aviator employed by an American aircraft firm, was shot down by Japanese planes while flying over Sodchow. The Japanese spokesman admitted that a Japanese plane attacked the plane over Soochow and engaged in a machine-gun duel, ending in disaster to the plane, which they describe as Chinese, refusing to admit or acknowledge that it contained an American aviator. It is believed that Short, who was entrusted with the delivery of a fighting plane to the Nanking Government, stopped at Soochow and offered his services to the Chinese. He then attacked three Japanese planes, with disastrous results. i THE JAPANESE FORCES STRENGTH TO BE DOUBLED TOKIO, February 23. Japan has decided to double the strength of the Shanghai array. CONFUSION AT GENEVA LONDON, February 23. The Daily Herald says: “It is clear that Sir John Simon has returned to Geneva with Cabinet’s latest word that Article 16 must not be invoked, and that Britain must not be involved in war. Sir Granville Ryrie (Australian High Commissioner) has been ordered to return to Geneva on April 1 to attend the Assembly, when the Sino-Japanese question will be discussed. He told the Sun-Herald that there was tremendous confusion at Geneva, Nobody knew what was going to happen. ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF JAPAN NO SUPPORT IN AMERICA WASHINGTON, February 23. Senator Moses, an influential Senator, says that there is no possibility of the United States declaring an economic boycott against Japan. CONFERENCE OVERSHADOWED POSTPONEMENT POSSIBLE . LONDON, February 23. The Daily Mail’s correspondent at Geneva says that Shanghai has so completely overshadowed the Disarmament Conference that it is believed that when the general debate terminates on February 24 a move will be made to postpone the conference indefinitely. The British United Press Association’s Geneva correspondent says that Japan’s disarmament proposals, which are expected to 'be announced to-day, include a reduction in the tonnage of capital ships, the'limitation of air forces in a manner rectifying the existing inequalities, the prohibition of aerial bombing of towns, and the provision of assurances against the possible danger of countries violating the disarmament treaty. THE BRITISH POLICY / AUSTRALIA’S SUPPORT LONDON, February 23. (Received Feb. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr J. H. Thomas, replying to Mr G. C. Mander (Lab.), said that no representations had been received from Australia in reference to Japan’s action in the Far East. The Commonwealth had been kept in closest touch with the situation. There was no reason to doubt that the British policy commanded Australia’s general assent. Mr Mander: Has your attention been called to an attack on Australia’s migration policy made by a Japanese delegate at the last League meeting? Mr Thomas said he saw an account

of it, hut he was much more influenced by a personal discussion with Australian representatives than by a general discussion by an outside authority. Mr Mander was apparently referring to the Japanese allusion at the League Council to the exclusion of Japanese from different countries of the world, including the Pacific. LABOUR MANIFESTO JAPAN HELD RESPONSIBLE LONDON, February 23. (Received Feb. 24, at 8 pan.) The Council of the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Party, and the Parliamentary Labour Party issued a manifesto declaring that the Japanese are violating their treaty obligations and disregarding their pledges to the League and the Powers, and have established a virtual protectorate in Manchuria. “A state of war exists between China and Japan,” says the manifesto, '* for which Japan is responsible, though she could have obtained satisfaction through the covenant with China, or, on the contrary, put the case into the League’s hands. Japan can ensure prosperity only by friendly co-operation with China, instead of by "force. If the nations of the world fail to uphold the Covenant they will destroy the collective system of world law and increase international insecurity and cause other wars. The council therefore asks the League to consider the question of requesting member nations to withdraw their ambassadors from Tokio. The British Government, if Japan defies world opinion, must propose to the League such measures of financial and economic restraint as will restore peace.” AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION STRONGLY FAVOURS CHINA WASHINGTON, February 24. (Received Feb. 24, at 11.50 p.m.) As a result of a series of conferences between White House officials, Mr Stimson and Senator Borah, it is anticipated that Mr Stimson will to-morrow issue a statement bearing on the SinoJapanese crisis. Admiral Taylor reported that Admiral Momura had expressed “ the absolute desire of Japan to avoid any friction with the United States.” Count Debuchi asserted that he does not know the number of Japanese troops involved in the Shanghai battle, but any reinforcements which were added would be sent to avoid “ further aggravation of the situation.” Other Japanese authorities here emphatically denied the reported cruelties by Japanese troops to Chinese civilians. Inquiry among officials indicated that the Government has made no efforts to advise Britain in advance concerning what it may or may not do in response to any request from the League. The Government is apparently not greatly interested in the suggestion by the League Assembly that the United States should join an arms embargo against both China and Japan. It is felt that American public opinion would not support such a move since it strongly favours China. Moreover, it is believed that China in such a case would only suffer, since Japan is already well equipped. A distinguished friend of President Hoover ventured the opinion that the economic boycott proposal would find no support in the Cabinet and little in the Senate. He said that a few senators were somewhat in favour of the idea, but they would change their minds in a debate, especially if Senator Borah got into action. “With the Japanese stewing in their own juice, why all these petitions? They have been well stopped at Shanghai,” he said. AUSTRALIA FULLY INFORMED CANBERRA, February 24. (Received Feh. 24, at 11.15 p.m.) Replying to a question in the House of Representatives to-day Mr J. G. Latham (Attorney-general) said that the . Commonwealth Government was being kept fully informed about the Sino-Japanese conflict. The press reports were also substantially accurate. The Commonwealth was anxious for peace, but it was not practicable for the Commonwealth to take any,'useful separate action apart from the League of Nations. PRESS PASSES WITHDRAWN SHANGHAI, February 24. (Received Feb. 24, at 11 p.m.) As a result of the local publication of stories alleging Japanese atrocities, the truth of which is highly questionable, local press passes from _ Japanese headquarters for the front lines have been indefinitely suspended, but foreign correspondents are not affected.