EXTREMELY GRAVE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 5

EXTREMELY GRAVE

SINOJAP. CRISIS MUTUAL RECRIMINATIONS REGRETS OVER WAR STEPS (MINS HEARD IN PEKIN ARMY REIN FOR( ■EM ENTS (Klee. Tol. Copyright-—-Unitori Press. Assn.) (Reed. July 13, noon) LONDON, June 12. The Chinese Embassy in London describes the situation in North China as extremely grave. It adds that the Japanese action was a premeditated attempt to reduce the region to a second Manchuria. China is determined to resist, at all costs, further encroachment, while exerting every effort for a peaceful settlement.

The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that officials describe tiie chances of war and peace as fiftyfifty.

A message from Pekin says that tiie fighting on the Papao Shan golf course, six miles west of Pekin, is the most serious thus far, and lasted throughout the night. The entire population of the city, which is under martial law, are confined to their homes. The people can hear the heavy cannonade, and it is believed that severe fighting is going on.

A communique issued by the Japanese War Office at Tokio states that the situation in China is ugly owing to the Chinese troops beginning an offensive from Papao Shan, after the withdrawal of the Japanese forces yesterday, in accordance with the agreement. The Chinese forces also advanced near Lukou Chao. Japanese troops are being rushed northward on the Pekin-Hangkow railway. Bad Faith Alleged

The communique adds that the situation has been so aggravated by the bad faith of the Chinese that Japan has been obliged to take counter measures.

Prince Konoye, addressing representatives of political parties, financiers and the newspapers, explained that the agitation against the Japanese in China had forced Japan to take a grave step. The dispatch of troops from Manchuria, Korea and Japan to North China was primarily intended to force China to reconsider its attitude.

The Minseito, Seiyukai, and other parties have issued a manifesto appealing for support for the Government,

It is stated in Tokio that the greatest tension for several years prevails concerning China as evidenced in the Emperor’s sudden return to Tokio today from Hayama, a seaside resort. Anxious for Nationals It seems that reinforcements will proceed to North China regardless of the outcome of the negotiations over the present clash, as the Japanese feel they cannot trust Chinese promises and they are anxious for the safety of their nationals in China. The Japanese are apprehending something like a Boxer outbreak due to the intensified anti-Japanese feeling throughout China. Japan is most desirous of avoiding a military embroilment with the Nanking Government, but if the latter's armies, which are reported to be going north, approach Pekin it will admittedly aggravate the prospect of hostilities.

A message from Shanghai says that Japanese concerns there have officially been instructed to draw up plans to evacuate women and children. It is believed that a Japanese offensive will begin on Thursday. A Nanking report says that the Chinese Government has promulgated a law enabling the requisitioning of foodstuffs, labour and military supplies. It is believed that the only possibility of avoiding war will be the mediation of outside Powers, especially England and America. /.