JAPAN’S ATTACK

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1931, Page 9

JAPAN’S ATTACK

TENSE POSITION IN CHINA OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA CHINESE REFUSE TO FIGHT DEMAND FOR SETTLEMENT ARMY AND NAVY MOVING By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Shanghai, Sept. 20. Despite frantic Government orders to avoid further hostilities the Chinese army is moving from Kirin towards Changchun, which is held by a small Japanese detachment. This has caused reinforcements to be rushed along the railway. Panic reigns among Japanese at Fushun, where the Chinese have trained artillery on the city, threatening a bombardment. Japanese destroyers have moved on Chefoo, Lungkow and Tsingtao to protect their nationals. Marines are guarding the streets in the Japanese area of Shanghai. China lodged a second strong protest in the afternoon demanding an immediate withdrawal. Despite the Chinese declarationof refusal to fight an official Japanese report states that 63 Japanese soldiers have been killed and 119 wounded. The Japanese officially announce their intention to establish a military administration in the Occupied areas until the outstanding questions are settled. . Chang Hsueh Liang declared that China will refuse to be drawn into an armed conflict with the Japanese. The surprise attack on Mukden and the subsequent occupation of various places in Manchuria by the Japanese army constituted an act of war as unwarranted as unprecedented. The attack was launched when China was in the throes of a calamity caused by catastrophic floods, Communism and civil war. There is no doubt that the situation is fraught with the deepest possibilities. Any additional incident may precipitate renewed hostilities, by which Japan may occupy the whole of Manchuria and the protection of the vast interests therein may involve other nations, notably Russia. Japan now occupies Mukden, Antung, Changchun, Newchang and all the importhat stations on the Peiping-Mukden railway. She is landing troops at Tsingtao, 'while naval vessels are guarding strategic positions on the Manchuria waterway. It is confidently hoped that the Mukden occupation is merely a demonstration by the Japanese military to enforce the settlement of 300 outstanding Sino-Japanese problems, which the Chinese have repeatedly ignored. Yesterday’s urgent Cabinet meeting emphasised the Japanese Government’s determination not to allow the Manchurian trouble to extend, says a Tokio message. The Cabinet insisted that the War Office should countermand the orders for the movement of troops from Korea.

CLASH OF TROOPS OCCURS STRUGGLE FOR RAILWAY. BITTER RUSSIAN FEELING. Rec. 1.45 a.m. Shanghai, Sept. 21. A Peiping telegram says a west-botind Trans-Siberia passenger train was Wrecked between Harbin and Manchuria by explosives. The culprits and the casualties are known. Hostilities are reported to have broken out at Kirin and the Japanese are, rushing infantry and cavalry, three trainloads departing to-day. Japanese civilians are evacuating Kirin. Extensive fighting north of Changchun is reported, also engagements along the Peking-Mukden railway for the control of the railway. There is growing animosity between tho Soviet and Japanese officials. Russian newspapers are publishing only anti-Japanese news. The majority of Japanese firms in Harbin are closing is much rioting.

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA JAPAN READY TO NEGOTIATE. Rec. 7.30 p.m. Shanghai, Sept. 21. The Japanese have informed Chang Hsueh Liang, the Mukden war lord, that the occupation of Manchuria having been completed they are ready to negotiate for a settlement of the outstanding issues. The Soviet’s Harbin consul has protested at the detention by the Japanese of employees of the Chinese Eastern Railway and the Japanese have promised to investigate. A United Press despatch reports that the Japanese Government is pessimistic towards the crisis in Manchuria. It admits that the military have usurped control of the situation, understanding that Japan will not permit the League of Nations’ intervention in the dispute and does not desire the application of the Kellogg Pact.