HOSTILE TO JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 47, 25 February 1932, Page 7

HOSTILE TO JAPAN

BRITISH AIR POLICY ISSUE OF A MANIFESTO Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 23. The Council of the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Party, and the Parliamentary Labour Party have issued a manifesto declaring that the Japanese are violating their treaty obligations and disregardng their pledges to the League and the Powers have established a virtual protectorate in Manchuria. A state of war exists between China and Japan, for which Japan is responsible, though she could have obtained satisfaction through the Covenant. China, on the other hand, had put her case in the League’s hands throughout. Japan can ensure her prosperity only by friendly co-operation with China instead of force. If the nations of the world fail to uphold the Covenant, it will destroy the collective system of world law. increase international insecurity, and cause other wars. The council, therefore, asks the League to consider requesting member nations to withdraw their Ambassadors from Tokio. The British Government, if Japan defies world opinion, must propose to the League such measures of financial and economic restraint as would restore peace. KIANGWAN CAPTURED THE JAPANESE ADVANCING Received Feb. 25, 1.20 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 24. A Shanghai message states that the Japanese have captured Kiangwan and have crossed the railway line. They are advancing on Tazang. JAPANESE ATROCITIES? SHANGHAI PRESS STORIES FRONT-LINE PASSES CEASE Received Feb. 24, 10.50 p.m. HANGHAI, Feb. 24. As a result of the local publication of stories alleging Japanese atrocities, the truth of which is highly questionable, local Press passes from Japanese headquarters for the front lines have been indefinitely suspended, but foreign correspondents are not affected. STONEWALL DEFENCE JAPANESE HELD UP tSau Francisco Press Broadcast) SHANGHAI, Feb. 23. All arms of Japan’s military might moved into the Kiangwan sector this morning, with the high command determined to shatter the Chinese stonewall defence that has baffled the invaders for 72 hours. From both flanks of the shell-shat-tered, fire-defiled village, in which still lurk Chinese machine-gunners, dug into the ground, the Japanese launched strong columns guided by airplanes, supported by rumbling tanks and armoured cars, and backed by d adly 75’s. The assault got under way shortly after an eight-hour Chinese bombardment directed across the International Settlement had subsi - 1 at dawn. At 8.30 a.m. other squadrons of Japanese ’planes roared off into the west and bombed the Chinese aviation field at Hung Jao, five miles west of the French Concession, and five miles south of the Kiangwan sector. General Uyeda decided to take no chances to-day. Reports, however, nebulous, that the Chinese forces were preparing to meet Japan in the air, could not be ignored at a time so critical. Chinese Bombardment Chapei is quiet. It is revealed that enormous damage was wrought by yes- I terday’s Chinese bombardment. | Scarcely a house in Dixwell Road and I the North Sdechuen area escaped, where whole terraces were destroyed, fhe havoc is only excelled by the Chapei ruins just across the daryCommander Shen, chief of the Chinese aviation forces at Shanghai, has reported that Robert Short, an American aviator employed by an Amer -an aircraft firm, was shot down by Japanese ’planes while flying over Soochow. The Japanese spokesman admitted that a Japanese ’plane attacked a ’plane over Soochow and engaged in a machine-gun duel, ending in disaster to tho ’plane, which they describe as Chinese, refusing to admit knowledge that it contained an American aviator. It is believed that Short, who was entrusted with the delivery of a fighting ’plane to the Nanking Government, stopped at Soochow and offered his services to the Chinese. He then attacked three Japanese ’planes with disastrous results.