Japan Will Send More Troops to China.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 1

Japan Will Send More Troops to China.

DETERMINED TO DEFEND HER TREATY RIGHTS AND HER COMMERCIAL INTERESTS. (United Pre*s Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received May 18, 10.40 a.m.) TOKIO, May 17. WHILE unconfirmed Japanese military reports from Mukden state that Marshal Chang Tso-lin has left Pekin for Tientsin. it is not believed at the War Office here that Chang intends to abandon Pekin without a struggle. A high official informed a correspondent that military advices indicate that Chang is prepared to make a final struggle to defend the Tien-tsin-Pekin railway and, if forced to retreat, will follow the two lines overland northward of Pekin and along the railway via Tien-tsin and Shanhai-kwan. In the meantime, it is emphasised that Japan is fully determined not to tolerate any disruption of the, peace of Manchuria and is prepared to despatch any troops necessary, even to the extent of stationing strong contingents at Shanhai-kwan, throughout Manchuria and part of Mongolia. While no Japanese will admit the possibility that Imperial political control in Manchuria may become necessary, there are growing indications that Japan is prepared for such an eventuality, as it is realised that a crushing defeat of Chang Tso-lin in the Pekin-Tien-tsin area will be likely to render it impossible for him to maintain Manchurian control, and will make an insurrection almost inevitable. With a view to preparing for eventualities in Manchuria, the Emperor of Japan this afternoon sanctioned the despatch of a battalion of artillery, a regiment of infantry and an air squadron to Tien-tsin. He also sanctioned the return of the Toyama Brigade from Tsinan to Manchuria. The Treaty rights allow Japan 15,000 men in the Manchurian railway zone, but the War Office states that any number of troops necessary may be sent to other Manchurian points. The Government is shortly issuing a statement to both Pekin and Nanking regarding Japanese rights in Manchuria and Mongolia, indicating that a serious view is taken by the Japanese regarding the situation of Japanese commerce in China. Seventy representatives of Japanese firms in Korea, Manchuria, China and Siberia met to-day in Tokio under the auspices of the Spinners’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Japanese Business Association, and heard reports preparatory to outlining the business concerns’ attitude to the Government.—United Service.