FIGHTING AT MUKDEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18440, 22 September 1931, Page 7

FIGHTING AT MUKDEN.

PESSIMISM IN JAPAN. MILITARY TAKE CONTROL. EXTENSIVE FIGHTING REPORTED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, Sept. 21. A United Press 'despatch reports that the Japanese Government is pessimistic toward the crisis in Manchuria. It admits that the military have usurped control of the situation, understanding that Japan will not permit the League of Nations to Intervene In the dispute and does not desire' the application of the Kellogg Pact. A telegram from Peking says a west-bound trans-Siberia passenger train was wrecked between Harbin and Manchull by explosives. The casualties are unknown. It is believed that possibly the act was due to Japanese as a' preventive measure to counteract the reported advance of Russian troops to the border. , Hostilities are reported to have broken out at Kirin and the Japanese are rushing infantry and cavalry io thaj. centre. Three trainloads are lo leave to-day. Japanese civilians are evacuating Kirin. Extensive fighting is reported north of Changchun, also engagements along the Peking-Mukden railway, for tho control of the line.

There Is growing animosity between Russian and Japanese officials. The Russian newspapers are publishing anti-Japanese news. The majority of the Japanese firms at Harbin are closing their establishments. There Is much rioting. LATER. JAPAN’S EFFORT. CONTRACTION OF TROUBLE. ! NO PANIC AT MUKDEN. . , United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Reoelved Sept. 22, 8.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 22. The Japanese Consul-General here, Mr Inoue, discussing the Manchurian hostilities, said his Government had communioated tho fact that an attempt was being made to confine the disturbance to Mukden. The Foreign Office reported further that thero was no sign of panic in that city, but all precautions were being taken for tho safety of residents. The Japanese Government strongly desired to prevent the trouble beooming widespread, and accordingly had instructed their authorities In China to try and settle amicably with the Chinese authorities, MORE TOWNS OCOUPIED. IMPORTANT CENTRES SEIZED. TENSENESS IN TREATY PORTS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Sept. 22, 9.35 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Sept. 22. The Japanese .occupied Kirin tonight and also seized four amourod trains belonging to the Manchurian forces and six Chinese gunboats on tho Sungari River. Tenseness prevails in all treaty ports. Martial law has been enforced in Tientsin. Upwards of fifteen important towns In South Manchuria, all Important railway stations, communication centres, and railways depots are now occupied by the Japanese. An emergency meeting of the Government leaders Dr. C. T. Wang declared: “We may lose our lives, but we cannot give up any part of our country which has 'been Inherited through centuries from our forefathers.” KELLOG-BRIAND PACT. NO GROUND TO INVOKE IT. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Reoelved Sept. 22, 10.30 a.m ) WASHINGTON, Sept. 21. The State Department to-day are stated to have announced that the position In the Chinese situation failed to present 'grounds for invoking the Kel-logg-Briand Pact for renouncing war.