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Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 9

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200 KILLED IN MUKDEN ATTACK BY THE JAPANESE MOBILISATION OF TROOPS CHINESE NOT REPLYING APPEAL MADE TO LEAGUE By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. ®e®. 3.5 p.m. Shanghai, Sept. 19. Mukden telegrams report that Japanese troops are ehelling the Chinese quarter of Mukden, the arsenal and the Chinese military barracks. Eighty deaths had been reported in one camp alone by midnight. Captain Nakamura, attached to the Japanese Manchurian forces, disappeared weeks ago and the evidence of investigators suggests that he was murdered in Chinese territory/ His is a similar ease to that of John Thorburn, • young Briton who disappeared near Shanghai last June. Japanese efforts to secure satisfaction failed and the present outbreaks are believed to be Japanese reprisals. The Japanese civil authorities declare that they are unable to prevent their soldiers firing, and it is assumed they - are entirely out of hand. Firing in continuing and : shells are falling every .ten minutes without a reply from the Chintege.' The Chinese, have been ordered / fry Marshal Chang Hseuh Liang, Man - ehurian War Lord and Vice-Commander of the Nationalist army, to deposit their arms at depots and not retaliate. The Japanese are now reported to be attacking Tung Taiying to the northwards, having seized the Chinese chief of staff, General Yung Chen. Japanese reservists' in China have been ordered to report at the nearest station, and ' Japanese military forces from all parts of Korea, Manchuria and Kwantung leased territory and Port ..Arthur, are entraining for Mukden. A . track military flying squadron from the Ping Yang is already en route. Ah official statement issued from the Kwangtung garrison headquarters states .that the clashes last night were caused ■ jib a result of a section of the South Manchurian railway being torn up by Chinese troops near Pei Tayang, a northern suburb of Mukden. The Japanese are now in complete control of the situation following the arrival of nine additional companies of infantry from nearby . Japanese gameons, states a later report. The Japanese are controlling the entire railway zone and are flooding the Mukden area with troops. All legations and consulates are heavily protected. JAPANESE TROOPS ACTIVE OCCUPATION OF CHINESE TOWNS. CHINA APPEALS TO LEAGUE. 'Rec. 11.25 p.m. Shanghai, Sept. 20. Mukden reports state that order will be restored in the city within three days providing no further incident oc«urs. A statement by the Foreign Office at *Tokio points out the seriousness of the situation. “Japan will not hesitate to settle the matter by force of arms, but that is a measure to be taken only after the failure of diplomatic proceedings,” the statement says. “We hope for a speedy and satisfactory settlement of the trouble.’’ China has lodged an appeal with the League of Nations. The total casualties in the week-end hostilities are unknown, but are believed to be over 200. Despite reassurances from Tokio and other Japanese official sources that the Mukden affair will be treated as a “local incident,” reports continue to announce the occupation bf Chinese towns, railway stations, banks and telegraph ■offices by Japanese troops. There is a growing feeling that Nippon intends holding Manchuria pending a settlement of the trouble over Captain Nakamura and other outstanding Sino-Japanese questions. The destroyed portion of the South Manchurian railway is reported to have been repaired and the normal services restored. The situation is considerably quieter. CLOSE WATCH BY THE LEAGUE. PROMISES TO SEEK PEACE. Rec. 6.45 p.m. Geneva, Sept. 20. ■ The League of Nations is closely Watching the Sino-Japanese crisis which coincided with the opening of the Council session. A Chinese delegate informed the Council that the Chinese were not responsible for the Mukden incident. Mr. Yoshiawa promised that Japan Would do her utmost to avoid complications. The President, M- Lerroux, said the Council hoped a pacific adjustment would foe found.