WARFARE IMMINENT?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 7

WARFARE IMMINENT?

CHINESE PREPARATIONS CONCENTRATION OF FORCES NO FAITH IN THE LEAGUE MOVE TO RECOVER MUKDEN IBy Telegraph—Press A eociation—Copy right I Received Nov. 25, 11.15 p.m. SHANGHAI, Nov. 24. Presumably realising tne futility ot expecting a satisfactory outcome of the League deliberations, Genera* Chiang’s military machine is commencing to function in an ominous manner presaging imminent warfare. Japanese military authorities at Mukden openly predict major hostilities, basing their prediction on the concentration of huge Chinese forces and the preparation for a Chinese counter attack aiming at the recovery of Mukden. The Japanese even express the opinion that China contemplating the open declaration of war. Approximately 200,000 Chinese troops are available against 20.000 scattered Japanese. The latter undoubtedly are alarmed over the developments. NEW FOREIGN MINISTER COMMISSION PROPOSAL. SHANGHAI, Nov. 23. Nanking has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Wellington Koo as Foreign Minister in succession to Mr C. T. Wang, who resigned in September following a brutal attack by students for his alleged mishandling of China’s Foreign Affairs. Dr. Koo is regarded as the country’s foremost diplomat. Questioned regarding the proposal that a neutral commission should proceed to Manchuria and investigate the present dispute, Dr. Koo stated that any suggestion without definite provisions for the early withdrawal of the Japanese troops from Manchuria would not be accepted by China.

NO FURTHER FIGHTING SINCE TSITSIHAE OCCUPATION [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Nov. 23. In the absence of Sir John Simon, who returned to Paris on Saturday night to take part in further discussions of the Council of the League of Nations, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden) answered in the House of Commons a question on the Manchurian situation. He said that his inforfnation was that since the occupation of Tsitsihar by the Japanese forces no further fighting had taken place. The League Council had sat at Paris for more than a week using its best endeavour to find a basis for the solution of the problem. COMMISSION SUGGESTION THE CHINESE ATTITUDE PARIS, Nov. 23. The League Council is still inCilbat ing a magic formula to settle the Manchurian crisis and is considering a draft resolution on the lines of the proposal to send a neutral commission. China, though not supporting it, is not likely to vote against the resolution, because abstention renders the Council’s decision unanimous. Dr. Sze, while not objecting to a commission, urges the simultaneous .provision of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Japanese.