SHADOW OF WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1933, Page 7

SHADOW OF WAR

TENSION IN NORTH CHINA

EARLY OUTBREAK EXPECTED

RESISTANCE TO JAPANESE

VAST ARMY IN READINESS

NO CHANCE OF SUBMISSION

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. Shanghai, Feb. 17. The seriousness of the situation in North China is unsettling the minds of everyone. The feeling is growing that the Far East is on the eve of one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. Chinese Government officials refuse to comment on the three ultimata expected from Japan but announce that an invasion of Jehol would be resisted to the utmost.

The tension is so great that North China is fearing the outbreak of fighting momentarily. Thousands of Chinese are moving south. The fears of the populace have been increased as a result ■of the removal of famous Peking treasure valued at many millions of pounds.

The Chinese now possess a vast army outside the Great Wall capable of offering serious resistance. Nothing is more remote than the possibility of compliance by the Chinese with the Japanese ultimata.

Earlier Peking reports said it was expected three ultimata would be delivered, one to Tangyulin from Manchukuo, another to Chang Hsueh Liang from General Muto, Japanese commander-in-chief, and the third from Tokio direct to Nanking, all demanding complete withdrawal of Chinese troops from Manchukuo and giving a time limit.

JAPAN LEAVING GENEVA

PROTEST AGAINST REPORT PASSAGES ALREADY TAKEN By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. Geneva, Feb. 17. The Japanese delegation after a long meeting telegraphed to Tokyo counselling withdrawal from the League. The Japanese spent the day clearing their archives In preparation for departure after the assembly meeting, and have already booked their passages. Meanwhile they have presented a statement to the League deploring the Committee of Ninteen’s "precipitate and unwarranted action, which is likely to increase the difficulty of restoring peace in the Far East.”

The Japanese delegation has issued a lengthy memorandum stating that if a rupture occurs between Japan and the League the blame will rest with the Committee of Nineteen.

The report of the Committee of Nineteen, totalling 15,000 words, is being broadcast at 2 o’clock this afternoon. It will be a world’s record broadcast, exceeding the 14,000 words of the Peace Treaty.