ADVANCE ON PEKING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20150, 19 May 1928, Page 7

ADVANCE ON PEKING

CHANG’S MOVEMENTS WATCHED. PREPARED FOR FINAL STRUGGLE [ Australian Press Assn —United Service ] TOKIO, May 17. While unconfirmed Japanese military reports from. Mukden state that Marshal Uuang Tso Liu has leit Peking tor Tientsin, it is not believed at the War Office here that Chang intends to abandon Peking without a struggle. A higu vuiciai iniormed a correspond ent that military advices indicate that Unaug is prepared to make a final struggle to defend Tientsin-Peking railway and if forced to retreat win follow to lines overiand northward of Peking and along railway via fcJlianhaikvvan. In the meantime it is emphasised that Japan is fully determined not to tolerate any disruption of peace in Manchuria and is prepared to despatch any troops necessary, even to stationing strong contingents at biiauhaikwan aud mrougliout Manchuria and part of Mongolia. Wmle no Japanese will admit the possibility that imperial political control in Manchuria may become necessary, there arc growing indications that Japan is prepared for such an eventuality, as it is realised that a crushing uefeat of Marshal Chang Tso Lin in the Peking area will be ukely to render it impossible for him to maintain his Manchurian control and will make an insurrection almost inevitable. With a view of preparing for eventualities in Manchuria the Emperor this afternoon sanctioned the despatch of a battalion of artillery, a regiment of infantry, and an air squadion to Tientsin and the return of the Toyaura 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 Peking and Nanking regarding Japanese rights in Manchuria and Mongolia, indicating the serious view taken by the Japanese of the commerce of China situation.

Seventy representatives of Japanese firms in Korea, Manchuria, China, and Siberia met to-day in Tokio under the auspices of the Spinners' Association of tho Chamber of Commerce and the Japanese Business Association and heard reports preparatory to outlining the business concerns’ attitude to the Government.