ANGLO – AMERIC AN INFLUENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

ANGLO - AMERIC AN INFLUENCE

KEEPING PEACE IN FAR EAST STRONG SINO-JAPANESE RIVALRY IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS b’uJU-cj Press Association—By Electr'.r Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 16, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. “Great Britain and the United States, acting independently, are both using their influence to prevent the North China trouble degenerating into a SinoJapanese war,” says the diplomatic correspondent of “The Morning Post.” The British Government’s view is j that the original incident is not sufficient to justify a war, and it has so informed the Japanese Government. It has also urged both sides that they should not allow the ; ffair to become magnified by considerations of prestige. There is no question of British mediation. It is understood that the United States Government has made similar representations. Diplomatic Moves The British Ambassador in China, (Sir H. Knatchbbull-Hugessen) arrived at Nankin from Peitaho by a warship, and conferred with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr Wang Chunghsui. It is understood that he delivered a message from the British Government to the Chinese Government. CRUX OF THE SITUATION CHINESE VIEW OF DISPUTE United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 16, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says: The crux of the position from the Chinese viewpoint is whether the Nanking Government will allow the pro-Japanese officials in North China to make a damaging settlement or whether the Chinese army, which for a long time has been trained for an emergency like the present, will be used in an attempt to check the intended aggression. There is a large patriotic element favouring resistance at any cost. If China is sufficiently accommodating, a local settlement can doubtless be easily arranged, but all the while the tone of the reports from Tokio is that Japan believes China needs a lesson from the powerful Japanese army, and that incidental to the lesson Japan will be able to get whatever she wants in North China.

OFFICIAL JAPANESE ATTITUDE SITUATION REGARDED AS SERIOUS United Press Assocta:Jon • Bv E*«ctrtr Telegraph- Cnrurtgbt TOKIO. July 15. The War Office officially announces that in view of the serious situation in North China, it has been decided to despatch more troops from Japan. Second Line of Defence General Inouye, president of the Japanese Association, which has 3,000,000 members, has called on the members to be in readiness to form a second line of defence, which is interpreted as a preliminary to their mobilisation. FUTURE OF NORTH CHINA INDEPENDENCE CLAIMED FOR RESTIVE PROVINCES Tel egra ph —Copyrt ch t (Received July 16, 10.50 p.m.) TIENTSIN, July 16. » General Katsuki (Japanese Commander in North China), and General Sung-Chen-Yuan (chairman of the Political Council at Hopei), discussed the new Japanese peace proposals, including the plan for the reconstruction of Hopei and Chahar, which are under them and repudiate membership of the Chinese Republic. Despite denials, it is reported that Japan has demanded the independence of the Provinces of Hopei and Chahar in North China. JAPANESE INFLUENCE IN NORTH CHINA CHINESE GOVERNOR A VIRTUAL PRISONER United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 17, 1.16 a.m.) NANKING, July 16 General Chiang-Kai-Shek has telegraphed General Sung-Cheh-Yuan (chairman of the Hopei and Chahar Council) reiterating that no agreement with the Japanese detrimental to Chinese sovereignty will be acceptable. General Sung-Cheh-Yuan is reported to be a virtual prisoner of the Japanese and will be unable to leave Tientsin if negotiations fail.

MASSING OF TROOPS CONFUSED REPORTS IN CIRCULATION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 17, 12.5 a.m.) TIENTSIN, July 16. An unconfirmed report from unofficial quarters states that throughout the night negotiations took place for the withdrawal of the thirty-seventh division of the twenty-ninth Chinese army from Peking to Paotin. The peace strength of the corps has been detailed to garrison Llukouchaio and Its environs. A message from Hong Kong reports that 3000 Chinese troops are reported to have surrounded the Japanese concession at Hankow. Thirty divisions of Chinese troops are massing on the Shansi border along the Halcuos-Sianfu railway.