TROOPS IN CHINA

Southland Times, Issue 20488, 16 May 1928, Page 5

TROOPS IN CHINA

BRITAIN’S INTERESTS

GOVERNMENT SEIZED OF POSITION

STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY (United Press Assn—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Rugby, May 14. In the House of Commons to-day Sir Austen Chamberlain stated that the United States, British, French, Italian and Japanese had 8,252 troops at Tientsin. Japanese and Italian reinforcements were also being sent. The British Government had closely watched the situation at Tientsin and should it be necessary to strengthen the British forces there would be no difficulty in doing so. In regard to the protection of British communities generally in China the Foreign Secretary said normal precautions had been taken and there was a British warship at practically every port along the coast where there were British subjects.

Replying to a further question, Sir Austen Chamberlain said the Japanese Government has informed the British Government of its decision to send 5000 troops to Tsingtao. It was explained that the despatch of the troops was an unavoidable measure of self-protection by no means implying unfriendly intentions towards China and her people or of interference with the military operations of the Northern or Southern forces and that as soon as the Japanese Government considered it no longer necessary to maintain troops for the protection of Japanse residents in the infected area the troops would immediately be withdrawn.

Sir Austen Chamberlain added that he had expressed to the Japanese Charge d’Affaires, who made this communication to him, his sympathy with Japan in the trouble with which she was confronted and he hoped that later information would not confirm the terrible accounts of outrages on the Japanese nation which, he understood, had been contained in the first reports. He also expressed satisfaction at the assurance that the troops would be withdrawn as soon as safety was ensured.—British Official Wireless. FEELING IN UNITED STATES. PROTECTIVE MEASURES PROPOSED. Washington, May 14. The United States will probably join the other Powers in protecting 8000 foreigners in Tientsin, if the situation there becomes acute, instead of attempting to evacuate the 900 Americans now resident there, thus following the same defensive plan as effected when the Nationalists occupied Shanghai. It is made clear, however, that the 3800 United States marines now in Tientsin will operate independently and will not become part of the unified demand.— Australian Press Association. THE ATTACK ON TSINAN. SOUTHERNERS’ PLANS DISCLOSED. Shanghai, May 14. Conclusive proof that the Southerns planned the Tsinan attack is alleged to be discovered by the Japanese in the shape of minutes of the final meeting of Chiang Kaishek and staff officers prior to launching the attack. The most important items are: (1) In the event of the Japanese presenting unreasonable demands the Southerners shall cope with them by force of arms. (2) Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek shall not reply immediately to any Japanese ultimatum, but delay in order to prepare counter-measures. The discovery was reported by a Japanese News Agency. Commanders of the international forces in Tientsin have agreed on the defensive measures to be adopted. The plan covers the stationing of a cordon of seven miles radius outside the city. Japan is entrusted with the most important foreign properties. America has 4,000, France 3,000 and Britain 1,000 troops occupying Tientsin. There are a score of aeroplanes and five tanks.—Australian Press Association—United Service. NATIONALISTS NEARING TIENTSIN. ANTI-JAPANESE AGITATION IN SHANGHAI. (Rec. 7.40 p.m.) Shanghai, May 15 The situation in the North is obscure owing to the total absence of news from taht area yesterday other than Nationalist intelligence, which claims that Tientsin is practically surrounded. The Nationalists are approaching from three sides and the fall of the city is imminent. Locally there is an agitation by students who are endeavouring to create an antiJapanese boycott which is likely to fail owing to the reluctance of Chinese merchants dealing in Japanese goods to cut off business again. Meantime students are agitating for the formation of a students’ training corps for the purpose of the formation of an army which will eventually take revenge on the Japanese for the Tsinan affair and substitute a training school for physical exercises in Nanking. The decision to dismiss General Ho Kaotzu for his connection with the Tsinan out rages is officially stated to be unsatisfactory. Japan demands the severe punishment of Generals Ho Kao-tzu and Fang Chang.—Australian Press Association.