JAPANESE THREAT OF DRASTIC ACTION IN SHANGHAI

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19093, 28 January 1932, Page 7

JAPANESE THREAT OF DRASTIC ACTION IN SHANGHAI

DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE SURRENDER TO TOKIO’S TERMS CHIINESE ENGAGED IN FEVERISH MILITARY PREPARATIONS IN SHANGHAI DISTRICT United Press Association —Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, January 28. The Japanese Consul-General (Mr Murai) to-day received definite instructions from Tokio, from the Foreign Office, regarding the action to be taken in the present grave situation at Shanghai. Although the details have not been published it is reliably predicted that drastic measures, including occupation of Chinese territory, will be undertaken. The failure of the Chinese authorities to reply to the Japanese demands has exhausted the patience of Tokio, and it is now reported that a forty-eight-hour ultimatum has been delivered to the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Wu. Brigadier Fleming, commanding the British forces in Shanghai, has been requested by the Shanghai municipal authorities to take all necessary defence measures for the protection of the International Settlement in collaboration with the French, American and Italian forces. The Chinese authorities are continuing their military preparations in the surrounding areas. Trenches are being dug across roads and barricades are being erected at railway stations and official buildings, which present the appearance of being veritable fortresses, as additional troops are concentrating on these points. The local Chinese garrison commander asserted: “Manchuria was occupied without fight, but the Japanese will know they have been fighting before they capture my territory.” It is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 Chinese troops in the Shanghai area. The Japanese forces are being strengthened with the despatch of the Ist Torpedo Flotilla from Sasebo, consisting of one cruiser and twelve destroyers.

SHORT SESSION OF LEAGUE. SPECIAL COMMITTEE SET UP. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 27, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 26. After a short public session of the Council of the League of Nations, a private meeting of a committee of twelve, consisting of members of the Council without the representatives of China and Japan, was held to consider the Sino-Japanese dispute. CAMPAIGN IN MANCHURIA. USE OF AEROPLANES PROPOSED. United Press Association--By Electilc Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, January 26. The army is planning a more extensive use of aeroplanes for the dispersal of bandits. The remaining Manchuria field artillery, which was attached to the Guards, and the twelfth division, has been recalled in consequence of the withdrawal of the Chinese regulars. REPLY TO ULTIMATUM. AGREEMENT TO STOP ANTIJAPANESE ACTIVITIES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 27, 9.55 p.m.) VANCOUVER. January 26. A special despatch received from Washington states that the Mayor of Shanghai has agreed to all Japanese demands in reference to the stopping of anti-Japanese activities.

OPERATIONS ELSEWHERE. JAPANESE TROOPS MaRCHING ON HARBIN. United Press Association—By Electilc Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 27, 11.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI. January 27. Harbin, which hitherto has been outside the Manchurian military operations. is now endangered. Troops under General Kirinhsihsia are marching upon the city from three directions, and are within thirty kilos of the city, thus affording control of the Chinese Eastern railway. MANCHURIAN CRISIS. PERSONNEL OF LEAGUE INQUIRY. After considerable negotiations, the League Commission of Inquiry into the situation in Manchuria has been completed. Its composition is as follows: The Earl of Lytton, ex-Viceroy and ex-Governor of Bengal. General Claudel, member of the French Supreme War Council. Herr Schnee, Governor of the former German Colony, German East Africa. Count Aldobrandini, a former Italian Ambassador in Berlin. Mr Hines, a former League expert on an international Danube Commission and a former DirectorGeneral of the United States railways. The Commission will have as chairman the Earl of Lytton. and it left the other day for the East.