JAPAN'S ADVANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 278, 24 November 1931, Page 7

JAPAN'S ADVANCE

MAY OCCUPY HARBIN COMMANDER’S INTENTIONS PROTECTION OF NATIONALS SHANGHAI PICKETS ARRESTED (By Telegraph—Presi A*- 1 ociation—Copyright) Received Nov. -3, 11.55 p.m. SHANGHAI, Nov. 23. General Hon jo, the Japanese held commander Manchuria, informed the Press to-dav that he was perturbed regarding the Harbin situation and vouchsafed the opinion that it would possibly be necessary to occupy Harbin in order to safeguard the lives and property of Japanese. The authorities at the international settlement took the first decisive step against the anti-Japanese pickets to-day, arresting four and charging them with robbery and illegal detention of Japanese goods. The arrests constituted a bombshell hurled at the anti-Japanese ranks and presage a movement to suppress the boycott activities. French concession police during the week-end uncovered the bodies of nine Chinese in the basement of a house in the French concession. They are believed to have been murdered by members of the Chinese Communist Party in revenge for divulging information of Communist activities. The victims had been strangled. The Nanking Government is taking great interest in the discoveries. JAPAN’S INVITATION A LEAGUE COMMISSION PARIS, Nov. 22. The Chinese and Japanese delegates again faced each other at the public session of the League Council and mutually disclaimed responsibility for the events in Manchuria. The debate ctnered round the Japanese proposal fcr sending a League Commission of Inquiry. M. Yoshizawa (J pan' stipulated that the Coi mission should rot be empowered to intervene in the Sino-Japanese negotiations or supervise military movements. Subject to such stipulations Japan was prepared to carry out her declared intentions of withdrawing within the railway zone with the least possible delay. Dr. Sze (China) insisted that the Japanese military occupation was a violation of the Covenant ana was the crux of the situation, and that withdrawal was 'the only solution. China was willing to accept neutral cooperation under the auspices of the League guaranteeing Japanese lives and property, but could not agree to the despatch of a Commission of Inquiry except on the basis of the immediate withdrawal of Japanese troops. M. B.riand said that the Commission contained the germ ef the solution of the desperate position. It was most important that further bloodshed should not occur before the arrival and during the presence of the Commission. The council would privately consider its constitution and scope. JAPAN’S INSTRUCTIONS CHOOSING THE MEMBERS PARIS, Nov. 22. In accordance with instructions from Tokio, Mr Yoshizawa suggested that the Commission should consist of Chinese and Japanese members, with a Frenchman, owing to M. Briand’s presidency of the council; a Briton, owing to the Britons’ impartiality and interests in the Far East; and an American, as the greatest Power and also interested in Manchuria. Hefurther suggested an inquiry both in China and Manchuria, comprising the events leading to the crisis, including the non-fulfilment of'treaties’ the boycott of the Japanese, and many aimilar matters. M. BRIAND’S APPEAL RUGBY, Nov •.22. At the public ses&ion of the League Council M. Briand said that he was glad to register the Japanese assent to the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to be sent to Manchruia. He hoped that during the constitute » of the Commission and until its arrival a better atmosphere would be created and no incident capable of raising new difficulties would be allowed to take pace. He made a passionate appeal to China and Japan to come to an understanding. The session then adjourned.