ATTACK ON CHAOYANG.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18877, 22 February 1933, Page 7

ATTACK ON CHAOYANG.

JAPANESE SEIZE RAILWAY.

“SEVEN DAYS’ CAMPAIGN.” MILITARY LEADERS’ ESTIMATE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 21. A*Japanese report from Chinchow, Jehol province, says -fighting has begun at -Chaoyang, where the Chinese attaoked the Japanese garrison. The Chinese troops endeavoured to surround 'the Japanese garrison. Apparently 'there were about 30,000 Chinese concentrated in a triangle and about 2000 Japanese. The latter -have launched a counter-attack, and it is believed they -intend proceeding to Peipiao, 'to the north-east of Chaoyang, for the purpose of controlling the branch line from -the 'Peking-Mukden railway.

The Japanese Government, says a message from Tokio, Is supporting the Manchukuo authorities in their contention that Jehol is within Manchukuo’s territory, of which the Great Wall is the traditional boundary. Marshal Chang Jlsueh-liang, who formerly derived a huge income from the Jehol opium traffic, is alleged by Japan to be sending -troops in an endeavour to Interfere with the control of the Manchukuo authorities. Japan is bound by her protocol with Man-ch-ukuo to assist that Stale to -maintain peace and order. Japanese army leaders estimate that a seven days’ campaign will be necessary to drive the 'hostile Chinese forces outside the Great Wall.

TENSION IN NORTH CHINA. VISIT OF DR. T. V. SOONG. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. PEKING, Feb. 20. “ The whole of North China is a pow-der magazine waiting for the spark to fire it and that spark will probably be the invasion of Jehol,’’ said Dr. T. V. Soong, the Chinese Finance Minister, giving impressions of his recent trip to the Chinese defence lines at Chengtc’hfu. “ Outwardly everything seems calm, but the limit of endurance has been reached."

OPINION IN AMERICA. REACTION ON EUROPE. “SHAPING TOWARD CRISIS.” CONCERN FOR NATIONALS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. Informed circles representing the opinion both of the present and the incoming Administrations believe that nothing effective can be done by the United States Government in the .Manchurian situation, at least for the present. IL is realised, however, that events appear to be shaping toward an immediate crisis, which is likely to have important adverse reactions on the Geneva Disarmament Conference and other international affairs.

It seems clear In Washington that Japan has moved up her scheduled invasion of Jeltol from early in March to the present time in order to inform Geneva with guns that she does not Intend to be deterred from her programme by the world’s opinion. It is an open secret that officials regard the Anns Conference as hopelessly tangled owing to conditions in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The Japanese withdrawal from the League is likely to cause a further stalemate. There is some concern for the safety of American nationals in China, particularly in the Tientsin area. It is recognised that Japan’s present objective is Jchol, but, in the event of serious resistance by the Chinese, it is realised that anything may happen. Also, it is possible that a Japanese, blockade of Chinese seaports might create a difficult international silnation.

QUESTION IN HOUSE. SUPPLY OF MUNITIONS. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. ’Pile Leader of Ihe Opposition, Mr 11. E. Holland, gave notice In Hie House of lU'pi'esentallves to-day of his litli'lltinn to ask Mu' . Prime Mi ll l sl<* *• whether, in view of Ihe fact lli.it 0> supply munitions of war to nations engaged in eonl’iol was a violation, both in teller and spirit, of Hie Covenant of Ihe League of Nations, lie would lodge a protest with the British Government against British armament firms being permitted to supply munitions lo Japan and China.