WAR THREATENED

Southland Times, Issue 21560, 25 November 1931, Page 7

WAR THREATENED

JAPANESE ALARMED MAJOR HOSTILITIES PREDICTED OMINOUS DEVELOPMENTS (United Press Assn. —By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 12.5 a.m.) Shanghai, November 24. It is stated that presumably realizing the futility of expecting a satisfactory outcome of the League deliberations, China's military machine is commencing to function in an ominous manner, presaging imminent warfare. The Japanese military authorities at Mukden openly predict major hostilities, basing their prediction on the concentration of huge Chinese forces in preparation for a Chinese counter-attack aiming at the recovery of Mukden. The Japanese even express the opinion that China is contemplating an open declaration of war. Approximately 200,000 Chinese troops are available against 20,000 scattered Japanese. The latter are undoubtedly alarmed over the developments. LEAGUE’S EFFORTS CHINESE DELEGATE’S PLEA. Paris, November 23. The League Council, still incubating a magic formula to settle the Manchurian crisis, is considering a draft resolution along the lines recently reported. China, though not supporting it, is not likely to vote against the resolution because abstention renders the Council's decision unanimous. Dr. Sze, while not objecting to the commission, urges simultaneous provision for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Japanese. NO REGENT FIGHTING QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 23. In the absence of Sir John Simon, who returned to Paris on Saturday night to take part in further discussions by the Council of the League of Nations, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Captain Anthony Eden, answered in the House of Commons a question concerning the Manchurian situation. He said his information was that since the occupation of Tsitsihar by Japanese forces no further fighting had taken place. The League Council had sat at Paris for more than a week using the best endeavours to find a basis for a solution of the problem. CHINESE GOVERNMENT NEW FOREIGN MINISTER Shanghai, November 23. Nanking officially announces the appointment of Dr. Wellington Koo as Foreign Minister in succession to Mr C. T. Wong, who resigned in September following a brutal attack by students for alleged mishandling of China’s foreign affairs. Dr. Koo is regarded as the country's foremost diplomat. Questioned regarding the proposal that a neutral commission should proceed to .Manchuria to investigate the present dispute, Dr. Koo stated that any suggestion without definite provision for the early withdrawal of Japanese troops from Manchuria would not be accepted by China.