PLANS TO LOCALISE DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20780, 15 July 1937, Page 9

PLANS TO LOCALISE DISPUTE

CHINA’S OFFER TC JAPAN EUROPEAN INFLUENCE EVIDENT INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN ORIENT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph - -Copyright (Received July 14, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 14 The Tokio correspondent of “The Times" says: “The War Office announces that the Chinese have submitted the following signed proposals for a settlement of the Wangplng ((Llu-Kou-Chlao) affair: (1) No Chinese troops In future be stationed at Llu-Kou-Chlao, and order to be maintained by peace preservation officers; (2) The Chinese agree to a formal apology by the Twenty-ninth Army, and the punishment of those responsible for the recent Incidents, and guarantees against their recurrence, and the suppression of antl-Japanese organisations. Including the Communist Party. Proposals Acceptable Thest proposals are considered to be satisfactory, and the War Office, by publishing them, shows a desire to localise the dispute. Negotiations are proceeding at Pekin, on the details of this agreement. Including, it is understood, the selection of the persons to be punished, and the measures for effectuating the guarantees offered. Britain's Overtures The incident in the Far East is being watched with concern in London Mr R. A. Eden maintaining close contact with the United States regarding developments. Yesterday he had an Interview with the Japanese Ambassadors, . and expressed the anxiety which the situation is causing the British Government. Ready for Truce The latest reports reaching the British Government regarding North China indicate that peace is In sight. The Chinese military headquarters at Pekin report that truce negotiations are still proceeding. “Both sides are willing to withdraw, but each refuses to be first." CHINA DESIRES PEACE .BUT WILL OPPOSE AGGRESSION United Press Association —By Ei-ctrlc Telegraph —Copyrlgl 11 (Received July 14, 8.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 13 Mr Kung, Chinese Finance Minister, has issued a statement declaring that China desires amicable relations with Japan, but would no longer lie down if Japan continues forcibly to occupy Chinese territory. AUTHENTICITY DENIED STATEMENT BY CHINESE IN SYDNEY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright (Received July 15, 12.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 14. An official memorandum from the Chinese Consulate to the press here denies the earlier message from Tokio regarding the proposals for a settlement and points out that if there is any apology to make it must come from Japan. “If there have been submissive notes why Is the fighting still going on? As a matter of fact the situation is gravei than yesterday, which shows that Japan la using her old methods to separate the Chinese authorities and fool the people of the world, but this time she has made a mistake.” SPREAD OF WAR FEVER CHINESE INDIGNATION AROUSED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copvrljrbt SHANGHAI, July 13 ’ Wth war fever burning in China and Japan, gnd the armies drawing closer towards Pekin, hopes of averting a serious clash are dwindling. Addressing the Foreign Office staff at Nankin. Mr Chenchlen, ViceMinister of Foreign Affairs, said: "China is determined to resist further encroachment on Chinese territory.” Meanwhile the Mayor of Pekin telegraphed to Nankin: “The outlook tor peace is completely hopeless." The chancellor." and professors of the most Important universities In Pekin telegraphed to Marshal Chiang KaiShek urging the most drastic action against the Japanese. Chinese Preparations The Chinese Foreign Office requested the foreign consulates to instruct their nationals to evacuate Pekin, offering aeroplanes to assist In their removal. The 160th Division of the Chinese Army has been ordered to entrain northwards. The Japanese are reported to have retreated to Fengtai, after a two hours’ battle. . Fighting is proceeding in the Wangpingsein area. The Japanese have 32 planes In tl\e Tientsin front. Twelve more Japanese troop trains arrived at Tientsin and others are on the way. Japanese aircraft, in action for tin first time, bombed Chinese forces at Nanyuan. At least 100 Japanese aeroplanes were seen manoeuvring yesterday over the Whanhai-Kuan sea end of the great wall. Thq Chinese Government has Instructed Ministers and staffs to return to Nankin from the summer capital at Kuling. The British and other Embassies warned nationals living cutside the

walls to withdraw inside the city, preparatory to evacuation. The city is now almost completely isolated from ' civilian transport. I i —— | < HINT OF EUROPEAN t INTERVENTION I I JAPANESE OPPOSITION i 1 United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 14, 11.40 p.m.) 1 LONDON, July 14. ' In China, half an hour before mid- 1 night, there was sharp fighting with 1 artillery and trench mortars nearer 1 the walls of Peiping than hitherto. "Do Not Yield” ' Nanking’s instructions to the Chinese i commander Is not to yield an inch of 1 territory or sign any agreement. They I deny the accuracy of the report of the i Chinese apology and that a truce has i been arranged. : A Tientsin message declares that i negotiations have reached a deadlock i i Suggestion of Intervention Japan is angered at the Chinese premeditated attacks and a violation of the rsfit day's armistice, and as a rejoinder to the suggestions from Nanking and from Paris that AngloAmerican and French influences intend energetically to intervene In the dispute, the Japanese Foreign Office pokesman says that Japan would not welcome such Intervention. He declared the crisis is unabated and the future depends on China. Meanwhile Lieut.-General Katsuki has arrived to take over the Japanese , command of North China, and protect j Japanese rights. , , DEMAND ON JAPANESE , ] EVACUATION OF TERRITORY REQUIRED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright (Received July 14, 11.5 p.m.) TOKIO, July 14. The Chinese Charge d’Affaires has requested the evacuation of areas recently occupied by the Japanese. A request for the cessation of further idvances received a firm refusal. The official was told that Japan held China responsible for the crisis. JAPANESE PREPARATIONS MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS AND WARSHIPS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Convriaht TOKIO, July 13. The Army spokesman stated: “Full preparations have been completed to assist in the liquidation of the North China incident. The army is prepared to take the most extreme measures in the event of further provocation.* The Governor-General of Formosa eceived a warning to place the island on a war footing. Korea is already in ’.his position, and similar orders have been sent to the naval stations. Two Japanese naval squadrons from Formosa have been ordered to the ■outh of China as a protection against the antl-Japancse agitation. Tientsin messages state that 2500 Japanese troops. 12 tanks. 24 armoured cars, 31 motor lorries, two units of ngineers and one cavalry unit arrived there. They are believed to be direct from Japan.