WAR DECLARED

Southland Times, Issue 21617, 1 February 1932, Page 7

WAR DECLARED

FAK EAST CRISIS

CHINA CHALLENGES JAPAN

FIERCE FIGHTING AROUND SHANGHAI

FOREIGN POWERS ANXIOUS

(United Press Assn. —By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, January 30. According to a Reuter message from Nanking iate to-night, reliable quarters report that the National Government has decided upon a declaration of war against Japan.

When the decision will he implemented is unknown, but it is expected on Sunday. General Chiang Kai-shek, Dr. Wang Chinwei and other important leaders left the capital for an unknown

destination to-day. it is believed they are coming to Shanghai

The reported split in the Government lends colour to the war report since the capital is now under the command of General Ho Ying-ehing, Minister of War, General Chen Ming-su, Minister of Communications, and General Ku Chu-tung, Commander of the National Guard, forming a military administration.

Further reliable reports state that General Chiang Kai-shek and other officials were compelled to leave the capital when subordinate generals rebelled against the Government’s “weak policy towards Japan.”

Rumours regarding the war declaration commenced immediately after the departure of Chiang Kai-shek, indicating that the military fully intend toking drastic steps against the Japanese.

ASSAULT GN CHAPEI

JAPANESE REPULSED ARMOURED CARS USED BRITISH TROOPS ARRIVE (United Press Assn.—Dy Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, January 30. Charging the Chinese with a failure to observe the truce, the Japanese to-day commenced another determined assault on Chapei, but met strong opposition, eventually retiring along the boundary, while the Chinese gained considerable ground previously lost in the first assault of Thursday’s midnight attack.. The Chinese brought field artillery into action, shells dropping around the Japanese naval headquarters. Reports from the Japanese headquarters state that the offensive this morning was necessary to retain the positions already occupied. Armoured cars led the attack but failed to penetrate Aie Chinese defences and retired to the boundaries extending from within range of the road within the settlement proper to a point adjoining the Japanese headquarters. For a distance of a mile and a-half along the Extra-Settle-ment Road every shop and house frontage was destroyed by Japanese bombs and wrecking parties. A large section deliberately set on fire is burning fiercely. Motor trucks loaded with timber and kerosene set ■ it alight for the purpose of removing cover for snipers and of holding off any Chinese advance immediately threatening the settlement.

Unconfirmed reports state that the Chinese captured, three Japanese armoured cars used to attack the station. An important meeting of the Defence Committee at the settlement this morning decided that the situation in the Hongkew district, which was previously left to defence by the Japanese, required the presence' of British troops to prevent further encroachment by the Japanese forces endangering the lives of residents from crossfire from the Chinese. It is expected that the Royal Scots will be sent to this area at any moment. A Wiltshire battalion arrived this morning and will disembark to-morrow. One fhousand Japanese reinforcements also arrived today. According to a statement by Admiral Shoizawa there are twenty Japanese naval vessels in the harbour, including two large aircraft carriers, also five thousand bluejackets and marines. Ho announced that in the event of further attacks on the Japanese positions he will bring a fleet of twenty planes into operation to bomb the Chinese positions. Fighting south of Harbin obliged the British Minister (Sir Miles Lampson) who is proceeding to England on holiday, to return to Dairen where he awaits further instructions, possibly cancelling his leave. The Japanese have reached Taolaicho, midway between Changchun and Harbin where Japanese residents have retreated within the banking and commercical districts, where foreigners are taking refuge behind sandbag barricades. A bridge wgs destroyed fifty kilometres south of Harbin, hindering the advance of the Japanese relief force. BRITISHERS WOUNDED TWO ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, January 30. It is reported that Chinese shells have fallen in the International Settlement. Snipers wounded two Royal Scots Fusiliers guarding the north Homan road gates. CENSORSHIP OF TELEGRAMS. (Rec. 5,5 p.m.) London, January 30. AU telegrams for China are subjected to ti censorship here. i

[ PROBLEM FOR LEAGUE A DIFFICULT CRISIS. WORLD PEACE THREATENED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, January 29. There is a tense atmosphere here, members realising that the League is facing one of the most difficult crises of its history. This has been increased by Baron Sato’s declaration that possibly world peace might be compromised by (ho events in Shanghai. A crowded council listened in deep silence to Dr. "Yen and Baron Sato stating their cases, Dr. Yen declaring that Japan's action directly violated the Pact, necessitating China’s invocation of the articles of the League, Covenant. Dr. Yen read a telegram denouncing the Japanese aggression, for which, he added, they must bear full responsibility. Baron Sato, regretting that developments had not permitted liquidation of the SinoJapancse dispute, declared that Japan was l not wholly at fault. Dr. Yen’s teiegram | asserted that Japanese sailors attacked i without provocation. On the contrary, his telegram, which was equally official, showed how the anti-Japanese menace had repeatedly grown, resulting in the landing of marines to protect the Japanese district on the advice of the Commander of the foreign naval forces. Chinese regulars had attacked the marines and also the Japanese headquarters which forced the Japanese into self-defence. Baron Sato added that the Chinese invocation of the articles had made worse what was already delicate and dangerous, and the situation had increased the difficulties of settlement. FRANCE’S ATTITUDE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, January 29. It is authoritatively stated that while the Government will doubtless join any collective demonstration the Powers decide to undertake it is opposed to isolated action, but emphasized that the French concession is not menaced like the International Settlement. SUSPENSE IN AMERICA JAPAN’S REPLY AWAITED. REBUKE FROM AMERICAN PRESS. (Rec. 7. p.m.) Nm York, January 30. The Herald-Tribune’s Washington correspondent states that the suspense in Washington to-night is greater than at any time since the World War. The overnighi turn for the worse in Shanghai with the news of the Japanese occupation of various parts of the International Settlement and further aerial demonstrations with a possibility of a renewal of the aerial bombardment kept the administration awaiting a reply from Japan to to-day’s AngloAmerican protest. The Herald-Tribune, in a leading article, voices the sharpest rebuke to Japan yet made by any responsible American journal. "Japan is using the same sort of savagery and slaughter as that indulged in by the Chinese wax lords and is having as much difficulty in controlling her military as the Chinese have, and producing in turn a situation from which she can only emerge with enormous loss and suffering.” The New York Times’s Washington correspondent states that Admiral Pratt, following a conference with Mr Stimson, confirmed the report that nearly all of the United States fleet will be available for service in the Orient. The combined unit of sixty-five vessels with a year’s supplies aboard is at present at San Pedro (California) and is due to sail on Monday on the Hawaiian manoeuvres. It would then be within seven days’ distance of Shanghai, but. there is no intention under any of the existing conditions to send the fleet west of Honolulu. In response to a question what would happen if Japan did not like the United States protecting their nationals or evacuating them if a crisis arose, he said, "that would just be too bad.” There is a critical situation for the safety of the American citizens concerned, but otherwise this is a conflict between Japan and China. Aside from the four destroyers already en route from Manila for the Yangtse ports it is probable that eight more will shortly leave, particularly after to-night’s reports that the Nanking Government has decided to declare war against Japan. POSITION AT HARBIN DESTRUCTION OF BRIDGE ORDERED. Tokio, January 29. The Consul-General at Harbin reports that the Soviet railway officials have ordered the destruction of the Sungari bridge to prevent passage of Japanese troops.

A FORMAL PROTEST ANGLO-AMERICAN ATTITUDE. UNITED STATES MEN-O-WAR READY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 30. Britain and the United States have formally protested to Japan against occupation of Shanghai. A renewed assurance that Japan will scrupulously respect the integrity of the International Settlement at Shanghai were given the United States Government to-day by Tokio. On the heels of the vigorous protest by the United States and Britain against the Japanese attack on Shanghai, the Navy Department to-day ordered the Asiatic Fleet to stand by in readiness to protect United States lives. “Our fleet,” Admiral Pratt said, “will be ready to evacuate our nationals or protect them if a crisis arises. Where mob rule prevails our for&es will go in and take whatever steps are necessary to protect our people.” He also said the ships of the battle force would leave San Diego on Monday on winter manoeuvres off Hawaii as scheduled, but would not go beyond there at present. Eight destroyers are being prepared at Manila to leave at a moment’s notice. Four are en route from there to Shanghai.

Reports from the United States Consul at Shanghai (Dr Edwin Cunningham) are to the effect that Japan, after the Chinese had agreed to Japan’s demands, had taken sections of the native city by military force. The later attitude adopted by the United States and Britain went further than the earlier representations which were based only on the safety of foreign citizens and property in the international settlement.

TRUCE TALK CONFLICTING REPORTS. (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) Washington, January 29. The situation in Shanghai is considered improved due to Anglo-American co-oper-ation in maintaining their rights and assertions. The Chinese and Japanese have reached a truce however. Observers here are somewhat confused due to the conflicting reports concerning the truce and despatches stating that the Chinese military authorities have -warned foreign officials that unless the latter use their influence to end the Japanese occupation the Chinese will be forced to attack the International Settlement. SUGGESTED BOYCOTT REPUDIATED BY U.S. SENATE. (Rec. 8.10 p.m.) New York, January 31. Senator Borah and other leading members of the senate Foreign Relations Committee expressed strong opposition to an economic boycott of Japan or an embargo on shipments of arms to the Orient in reply to the deluge of telegrams from peace advocates and societies tusking that such steps be taken. One senator, Mr King, in denouncing “Japan’s action in forcing war upon China” advocated “that the United States, the League of Nations and other powers should declare an immediate economic boycott and an embargo of war materials to Japan." Senator Borah said the boycott would not be a peace movement. “It might easily be the first step to war,” he said. Senator Reed (Pennsylvania); “I am opposed to the United States using a boycott during the present state of affairs against Japan.” Senator Capper: “We might be involved in a mess in the Orient. We ought to be slow in taking such a step.” JAPAN PREPARED LARGE SUPPLIES OF COTTON. PURCHASES FROM AMERICA. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, January 29. Japanese bonds suffered further one to five point losses to-day and the yen was subjected to renewed pressure. American munitions experts are interested in the fact that Japan, despite the low level of her textile industry, recently made, through agents in the United States, large purchases of raw cotton, which is readily convertible into explosives. Statistics indicate that Japan now possesses an unprecedented supply of cotton, having bought 1,069,000 bales in the United States between July and December, 1931, compared with 490,000 during the previous corresponding period. JAPAN’S CYNICISM CHICAGO TRIBUNE’S COMMENT. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Chicago, January 29. Commenting on the Sino-Japanese situation the Chicago Tribune states: “The cynicism with which Japan treated Mr Stimson’s representations could be expected although diplomacy seldom joins so much sarcasm in words to such irony in acts. If America cannot be brought by this to the question of the validity of illusions which persistently direct the conduct of its government in foreign affairs it is blind to experience.” BRITISH DESTROYERS ORDERED TO STAND BY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Singapore, January 30. In view of *the Shanghai developments the British destroyers Sirdar, Serapp, Sterling, and Serapis, which were due to leave to-day for home, have been ordered to remain to await instructions.

SHEATH SWORDS MR MACDONALD’S URGE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, Januapr 29. “The state of affairs in Shanghai are deplorable,” said Mr Ramsay MacDonald, speaking in his constituency for the first time since the general election. “For the moment I cannot assign the blame and will not take sides, but every sane man will agree that the experience is disappointing in view of the world’s great Governments’ efforts to establish peace. I appeal to every one concerned to sheath swords and allow common sense to reason and solve the difficulties.” '‘WORSE THAN WAR” WORLD-WIDE ALARM. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, January 29. The New York Times states that the most charitable theory of what happened at Shanghai is that the Japanese military command blundered sadly. “The misery of it all is that these things are done under the pretence of peaceful and even friendly assertion of Japan’s rights. We cannot say, “It is war.” It is worse than war; it causes alarm to spread around the world. Apprehension will tend to take the place of confidence. If Japan has destroyed her standing of repute among nations she has only herself to glamc.” AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) St. John (New Brunswick) January 31. Asked to comment on the recent statement of Dr. Eugene Chen, former Foreign Minister for China, that Japan meant to annex Manchuria, dominate the Pacific and then proceed in the conquest of Australia, the Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr MacGregor) said he had no fears of Australia ever flying the Japanese flag GERMAN OPINIONS ACTION OF DELEGATES. “SHAMEFUL AND GROTESQUE.” (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, January' 30. The Vossissachc Zeilung states that it is shameful and grotesque that the Japanese and Chinese delegates should meet to discuss disarmament when the soldiers of those countries are waging bloody war. Berlinger Tageblatt states: “If the powers indulging in high sounding phrases at Geneva about world peace remain inactive ‘world peace’ will become a dead word. Germania is of the opinion that the United States and Britain should strongly oppose Japan’s action and fears possibly catastrophic consequences.” MUSSOLINI’S ANXIETY DAUGHTER AT SHANGHAI. (Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rome, January 30. Signor Mussolini is closely' following developments in the Far East as his daughter is married to the Italian Consul.-General at Shanghai. Italy, owing to a desire to maintain her trade with China and Japan, will support any proposal promising the restoration of peace.

EARLIER MESSAGES ATTACK ON CHAPEI PROTECTING JAPANESE RESIDENTS. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 29. In a proclamation which preceded the air attack on Chapei, the Japanese Admiral stated that the reason for the action was that general restlessness prevailed in and outside the settlement, and there was the necessity in consequence for taking measures to protect Japanese residents. He mentioned the declaration of a state of emergency by the International Council as evidence of this unrest. The newspapers, however, point out that the declaration of a state of emergency was evoked by the earlier Japanese intimation that action was contemplated within twenty-four hours. It was stated that the Council’s declaration was a measure considered necessary to prepare against possible resulting disorders. The Japanese version of the Chapei clash is that, when occupying the, positions assigned them under the settlement defence scheme, they were attacked both by Chinese regulars and by armed men in plain clothes. They thereupon took extremely drastic action.

It is stated that a bomb fell in the French Concession, killing five people. Reports from Washington indicate that the American Government has accepted the British invitation to co-operate in representations to Japan. The French and Italian Governments were also informed of the course adopted by the British Government.

At the League Council the Japanese delegate, Count Sato, adduced many legal arguments why the Council should postpone consideration of the Chinese demand for examination of the Sino-Japanese dispute under the Articles of Covenant. These arguments were countered by others put forward by the chairman, M. Paul Boncour, who was supported by every member of the Council.

The Secretary-General was instructed to propose at to-morrow’s meeting the best means of obtaining reliable news regarding the events in Shanghai, and it is generally believed that this will take the form of the immediate appointment of a Commission of Inquiry there to examine the situation on the spot. M. Boncour requested the Japanese and Chinese delegates to telegraph to their Governments an expression of the painful impression caused at Geneva, and urging them to take all possible steps to prevent further loss of life and the commission of any act which might be irreparable. The delegates were asked to add that the Council had the matter in hand, and would not rise until it was settled. JAPANESE DROP BOMBS. Shanghai, January 28. The fighting has reached almost a war scale in Chapei. Chinese snipers are holding out against the Japanese, and it is even reported that they have surrounded a number of Japanese. At 1.30 four Japanese bombers were sent up to carry out what was probably the biggest bombing raid in China’s history. The planes circled above the doomed area, dropping “eggs” at intervals. Thousands of spectators on rooftops in the International Settlement were fortunate enough to obtain a box seat and saw familiar fountains of black debris rise. The railway station went up in smoke, and the Commercial Press, the biggest Chinese organized printing works, was destroyed by fire. The Japanese learned that the Chinese had an armoured train within the railway station, which they decided to wipe out.

The Chinese within the settlement are becoming panic stricken. The bankers closed their institutions, and all the Japanese mills have been closed, throwing 60,000 people out of work. The resources of the foreign police are being taxed to the utmost. Chapei is at present on fire in three places A message from Nanking states that the Chinese Government apparently intends to offer resistance, as reinforcements of Cantonese were mobilized and entrained for Shanghai to-day. The troops were in the highest spirits as they trotted to the station shouting patriotic slogans,