TENSION RELAXED

Southland Times, Issue 21652, 14 March 1932, Page 5

TENSION RELAXED

EASTERN CONFLICT JAPANESE REMAIN AT CHAPEI MAINTAINING ORDER. ;Vnked Press Assn. —By Telegraph—Copyright.) Shanghai, March 11. Though the tension in the International Settlement is relaxing and the curfew period has been reduced to a volunteer status, the Japanese are still responsible for the maintenance of order in the occupied areas of Chapei, the authorities refusing any assistance while the Japanese remain. The Japanese,-" since the cessation of hostilities, have been occupied in burying the Chinese dead, some by merely tipping the bodies into abandoned trenches and covering them with a thin layer of earth. A Kobe message dated March 11 states that the League Commission sailed for Shanghai this afternoon with an entourage of ten Japanese. In Tokio Earl Lytton, the chairman, stated that he had received wonderful hospitality in Tokio but was looking forward to the Chinese version besides viewing the things that were actually happening. RESOLUTION CARRIED JAPAN AGREES TO PRINCIPLE. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, March 11. 'Hie Assembly of the League of Nations carried the resolution, drafted yesterday, providing for consideration of a settlement by the League of the Sino-Japanese dispute. There were 45 votes for the resolution and no dissentients. The Chinese and Japanese representatives refrained from voting. The plenary session, at which the decision was reached, was preceded by a meeting of the General Committee, at which Baron Sato declared that he fully agreed with the fundamental principle of the resolution, and reasserted that Japan had no territorial ambition against any other member of the League. Her military measures were necessary because her nationals and property in China were imperilled. Dr Yen said he abstained from voting as he had not received instructions from his Government. He certainly supported the resolution. The representatives of the following six countries, together with the president and representatives of twelve States represented on the League Council, will form the committee to deal with the Far East situation: Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Colombia, Portugal, Hungary, and Sweden. The committee will report not later than May 1. STATEMENT BY JAPANESE WILL WITHDRAW IF AGREEMENT REACHED. Shanghai, March 11. The Japanese authorities announce that, should complete agreement with the Chinese be reached, the Japanese troops will commence withdrawal from th.? Shanghai area, leaving a small contingent sufficient to ensure the safety of the Japanese residents. Chinese officials estimate the killed and wounded soldiers at 9000, and the Japanese killed and wounded (navy and army) roughly at 2500, but it is estimated that the Chinese casualties were considerably more. PEACE EFFORTS DEADLOCK REACHED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, March 12. The Peace Conference efforts reached a deadlock over the Chinese insistence on unconditional Japanese withdrawal from the occupied area. There has been some minor skirmishing at some of the outer points. The Mayor has resigned. GARRISON REVOLTS LOOTING BY CHINESE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Moscow, March 12. The Chinese garrison in the town of Sakhalin, resenting the hoisting of the Hag of the new Manchurian State, revolted and seized the key positions. They killed 10 Japanese officers and two civilians and captured the Japanese Chief of Staff. They looted four Chinese banks, a large pawnshop and other premises including the Russian Trading Corporation. They released the prisoners from gaol and used machineguns in the streets. The British manager of the Customs house and his wife are among those in danger in the neighbouring Soviet town of Blagovestchensk across the Amur river where they are taking refuge. AMERICA’S ATTITUDE LEAGUE RESOLUTION OPPOSED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, March 11. Mr Stimson made a statement expressing unqualified approval of the League Assembly’s resolution of forming a commission to negotiate in the Sino-Japanese dispute and assured the United States cooperation. The statement in part said: “The Nations of the League are united in a common attitude of purposes towards the perilous disturbances in the Far East. The action is for the expressed purpose for peace which was found both in the Paris Pact and the League Covenant. This action will go far toward developing into terms of international law, the principles of order and justice which underlie those treaties and the United States Government is glad to co-operate earnestly in this effort.” ' Other administration officials informally termed the resolution “Strong and sweeping.” However, it is clearly indicated that the United States participation is limited In the military situation. It is understood that Consul General Cunningham at Shanghai has been instructed to oppose an injection of collateral issues ami seek to obviate any political conditions as the price for the Japanese military withdrawal there.