CHINA AND JAPAN

Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 March 1932, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN

SITUATION UNCHANGED

DEFENCE LINES HELD.

Ureas Association Electric Xeiegrapn—C,oyyriglH iJSHAa UiiAi, Tuesuay.

The situation is nnciningud, Ijotn a.aes holding then- Uetenco lilies \mmmi lighting. A plenary session of the Central Executive of the Chinese Committee at Loyang has issued a declaration urging tlie nation to concentrate in deJinite opposition to the Japanese and to light to the last man to prevent a repetition of the imposition of anything resembling the Japanese “Twen-ty-one Demands.” The commercial life of Shanghai is practically at a standstill. No progress is being made to end the deadlock. Unless there is a speedy settlement, further hostilities on a wide scale are feared.

JAPANESE WARNING,

SHANGHAI, Tuesday

The Japanese commander, General Shirakawa, has issued a warning to the Chinese regarding the continued concentration of hostile troops in the vicinity of the Japanese defences, stating that the digging of trenches and erecting of defences constitute a threat which the Japanese cannot overlook. If a serious clash occurs, the responsibility will be on the Chinese. The Nanking populace is reported to be excited, many evacuating the city owing to reports of approaching Japanese and receding Chinese troops, both of which are discredited.

General Chiaug Kai-Shek has been appointed Commander-in-Cliief of the Chinese army, navy, and air force. The situation in Shanghai is brighter following the announcement that the Chinese Public Services are to be resumed in the devastated areas.

THE NEW MANCHURIA,

SHANGHAI, Wednesday

Changchun, the capital of the new Manchurian State of Manchowkou, is agog with excitement pending the inauguration of tlie new Regent, the cxEmperor of China, now generally known as Mr Pu Yi. In the meantime developments in Manchuria are again attracting attention. Harbin reports that sixty-one locomotives have been sent from the Chinese Eastern Railway into Russia. The purpose is unknown.

INCENDIARIES CAUGHT,

TOKIO, Wednesday

Innumerable simultaneous fires early this morning in Mukden are reported. Hundreds who were arrested on being caught red-handed are said to be adherents of Chang Hsueli-liang. I hey intended demonstrating against the inaugural ceremony of the Investiture of Mr Henry Pu Yi as Regent of the new State of Manchuria.

DANGER OF CIVIL WAR.

SHANGHAI, Wednesday.

Despite General Sliirakawa’s warning to the Chinese yesterday, he officially indicated to the Press conference to-day that he did not expect further major hostilities, though the danger of civil war between the Cantonese forces and Cliiang Kai-shek’s troops in areas around Shanghai was obvious, necessitating the retaining of considerable Japanees forces along the twenty-kilo-metre boundaries.

DUTY OF LEAGUE.

LONDON, Wednesday

The British Government will not participate in any coercive measures against Japan, Sir John Simon told the ‘‘Daily Mail’s” special representative at Geneva. The Foreign Minister added* “The League’s duty is to obtain a settlement by mediation, not coercion, which would inevitably leave one of the parties embittered.”