TENSION IN MANCHURIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 7

TENSION IN MANCHURIA

BITTER CHINESE ATTITUDE radicals demanding war against japan NIPPON INTENDS TO HOLD OCCUPIED POSITIONS SOVIET MENACE REPORTED STILL TO CONTINUE [By Telegraph—Press Association—C >pyright] Received Sept. 28, 11.55 p.m. SHANGHAI, Sept. 28. There is widespread opinion that the League of Nations has failed at the first real crisis. The country’s officials are facing a desperate situation. The people are everywhere led by students and radical organisations demanding war to rid Manchuria of the Japanese, and propagandists are feeding the flames of popular discontent by exaggerated, accounts of the massacres of Chinese by Japanese. Japan’s assurances that she will restore the status quo in Manchuria are apparently premature. The Japanese evidently intend to hold the occupied positions, withdrawing only the reinforcements en route prior to the League’s decision. The Soviet menace continues. Three troop trains are waiting at Manchuli for any immediate necessity, and the six Soviet gunboats are manoeuvring at Sungari, observing the Japanese military movements. The Soviet Consul at Harbin is in constant touch with the Chinese special representative, and Japanese military airplanes are dropping handbills in Harbin, announcing the impending arrival of Japanese troops. A message from Kobe states it is alleged that a movement is on foot to secure Manchurian and Mongolian joint independence under the name of the Chunghe -Republic. The Japanese Press is permitted to publish but is warned against & nv hint of Japanese Government or military backing.

WHOLE DESTRUCTION

MARTIAL LAW DECLARED HONGKONG, Sept. 27. The Chinese casualties ir the street conflicts are unknown. Seven Japanese were killed and others badly injured. The district this morning presented amazing scenes. The streets were indescribably littered with articles of Japanese manufacture thrown out of windows, while the mobs were wildly dancing and smashing everything. All of the Japanese have evacuated the districts for places of safety under a heavy guard. The Hongkong Government will this afternoon declare martial law. The Welsh Borderers are standing by and all of the troops are wearing tin helmets, giving them a war-time appearance. Six Japanese Killed. The Government has declared a state of emergency following the killing' of six Japanese by Chinese in the course of all day and all-night rioting in which every Japanese shop was wrecked. British volunteers in armoured cars are now patrolling the streets. The troops made frequent bayonet charges and occasionally resorted to firing in order to break up the frenzied mobs. Three Chinese were killed.