THE WAR IN CHINA.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17407, 21 May 1928, Page 7

THE WAR IN CHINA.

STRONG RESISTANCE.

AGAINST NORTHERN ADVANCE.

FOREIGN CIRCLES AGITATED. (By Telegraph.—Press (A ustraaaa .re S S H^-CnnSa S.rv,c,) A late report, on the other hand, says desultory fighting is proceeding 80 miles south of Peking. The Northerners are offering .1 strong resistancc to the Southerners' advance and successes are cl Aimed. Despatches from Tokio state that the Japanese Government, through its Minister at Peking, made direct overlures lo Marshal Chang Tso-lin, the Manchurian war-lord, to persuade him to retire lo Manchuria, but these efforts failed. Consequently Japan has frnaily decided upon measures fertile protection of Japanese nationals in North China. She has also decided to strengthen her military forces in Manchuria, at strategic points, in her determination lo prevent a continuation of warfare north of the Great Wall.

What is regarded at Peking as Japan's apparent determination to intervene in the civil war in China is creating considerable agitation in foreign diplomatic circles in the northern capital. The official Japanese statement on her attitude in regard to Manchuria was presented simultaneously to the three anti-Northern leaders, the "Christian General" Feng Yu-hsiang, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and the Governor of Shansi, Yen Shishan. This declared Japan's determination (0 preserve Manchuria from the ravages of war. It virtually asserted her determination to establish a protectorate in Manchuria, possibly immediately. Japan is evidently willing to permit Chang' Tso-lin's armies to withdraw into Manchuria if the troops are disciplined, but she will not permit the passage of a defeated and undisciplined rabble. It is understood that Japan advised Chang to return to Manchuria immediately while his armies arc stilt intact. This the dictator refused to do. NEW YORK, May 19.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says an atmosphere of uneasiness is evident in official circles to-day about the course taken by Japan in asserting her predominating influence in Manchuria, through her warning to the Southern and Northern factions in China to avoid spreading the unrest to Manchuria. The Secretary of State, Mr P. B. Kellogg, stated to-day that the Uniteu States has never recognised any special claim by Japan to that region, and has always considered Manchuria to be Chinese territory, although she docs not deny the legal ownership by Japan of the lease of the South Manchurian railway. A further message from Washington says the United States is retaining her liberty of action as the Nationalists advance toward Tienstin and Peking. Mr Kellogg said no request had been received from either Britain or Japan to co-operate to protect the Peking-Tientsin railway. America was not contemplating any action in the matter.