JAPAN’S ULTIMATUM

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18878, 23 February 1933, Page 7

JAPAN’S ULTIMATUM

CHINA PREPARES FOR WAR. FEVERISH ACTIVITY ON JEHOL ROAD.' NEARLY 200,000 TROOPS IN FIGHTING ZONE. HOPES OF CONCILIATION DISSIPATED. Following on the outbreak of hostilities reported yesterday, when the Chinese attacked the Japanese garrison at C'haoyang, Japan has now taken up the attitude of an injured party and has delivered an ultimatum to China, demanding the cessation of her disturbances in Manchukuo. Failing compliance with the demand Japan will resort to force. Meanwhile there is no evidence that the ultimatum will be heeded by the Chinese, who are rushing troops and war materials into Jehol with all possible speed. Nearly 200,000 troops are quartered in the disputed territory and throughout North China preparations for war are being feverishly carried out. In answer to the League of Nations, Japan now seeks to throw the blame on them for failing to settle the dispute, and invokes the application of the Briand-Kellogg Pact and similar treaties as a lastminute gesture of innocence.

JAPAN’S LAST THREAT. ' RECEPTION IN CHINA. ARMY TRANSPORT MOVEMENTS. PEOPLE’S WARLIKE SPIRIT. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, Feb. 22. ■An official Japanese message announces that an ultimatum will ibc delivered some time to-day demanding the withdrawal of all the Chinese troops from Jehol. Failing this Japan will be compelled to resort to force “to remove the menace which is threatening the peace of Manehukuo." Feverish preparations continue to be made in Nanking and other cities In North China, particularly in Peking. There the hospitals and depots for the reception of wounded are in readiness and olvilian organisations are working day and night preparing the usual war comforts. Thousands of troops are passing through Peking along the single road leading to Jehol, which is being ground to pieces by a continuous stream of motor-lorries carrying supplies and men. In addition camel transports, bullook drays and heavy guns form an endless procession, whioh is heading fo” the formidable natural defences in the Jehol mountains. Reassuring messages are broadcast many limes a day with official exhortations to the nation to stand together in China’s greatest crisis. The newspapers are stirring the people and arousing an unprecedented warlike spirit. Arrangements have been completed in Nanking to broadcast war news and loud speakers have been erected at all the main points to enable the people to learn the fortunes of the armies in the north.

REPLY TO COMMITTEE. OFFICIAL JAPANESE VIEW. INVOKING KELLOGG PACT. CHINESE A SERIOUS DANGER. (By Telegraph,—Press Association.) GENEVA, Feb. 21. Japan’s statement to the Committee of Nineteen of the League of Nations declares that the Chinese have IU,000 troops In Jehol Itself, and 33,000 massed Immediately south of the Great Wall. These troops constitute a most serious danger. The statement says that oven In the event of joint operations by Japan and Manchukuo, the Japanese will not advance south of the Great Wall unless the movements of the Chinese troops compel them to do so for strategic reasons. Japan appeals to the Assembly to think twice before coming to a decision. It urges the application of the principles of the Covenant of the League, the Briand-Kellogg Pact and the Nine-Power Pact in accordance with the realities. The Note emphasises that the principles of the Committee and the Lytlon Commission cannot be fulfilled without a strong central Chinese Government, and It objects to the Inclusion of America ancl Russia (non-membo'-s of the League) on the proposed Committee for negotiations.

WITHDRAWAL DEMAND. NOTE TO CHINESE GENERAL. NO HARM TO PEKING. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. TOKIO, Feb. 22. The Japanese Government to-day communicated with 'Marshal Chang Ilsueh-liang, commander of the Chinese forces in Jehol, urging his compliance with Manehukuo’s demand for the withdrawal of his troops which at present arc menacing Jehol, and pointing out that by so doing he will avoid Lho necessity of lighting.

It was emphasised that Japan does not intend lo make war on China, but it was stated that she must carry out her obligations to assist Mancliukuo to clear her territory oi disturbers of the peace.

The Japanese Note stated that no danger lo the Tientsin or Peking regions is involved unless the urgencies of military necessity compel a following battle beyond the Great Wall In o-der to ensure that the disturbing forces .do not retuim-

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. OFFICIAL ULTIMATUM. JAPANESE MINISTER ACTS. KAIHU TO BE BOMBED. f , i Unitpcl Prpss Asm.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 23, 10.30 a.m.) 'KOBE, Feb. 22. Following a statement to the League of Nations denying the League’s concern about Manchukuo, which is an Independent non-member State, and declaring that the settlement of the trouble In Jehol is entirely a domestic affair, Count Uchida, the Foreign Minister, has sent an ultimatum to Nanking, and also one to Marshal Chang •Hsueh-liang, demanding a reply within 24 hours. Failing satisfaction, an immediate advance will begin for the expulsion of 'Marshal Chang’s troops from the province. For the past month Japanese forces have been taking up positions for their advance which will include the bombing of Kalhu and other places. RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. POLICY OF NON-AGGRESSION. DEFENCE OF EASTERN FRONTIERS United Press Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 23, 9.55 a.m.) [MOSCOW, Feb. 22. M. Vorshilov, Commissar of War, addressing a collective meeting of farmers emphasised Russia’s intention to pursue a steady policy of peaoe iu the Far East. Non-aggression paots with several European countries had rendered her Western . frontiers comparatively safe, but no such guarantees obtained in the 'Far East. Though diplomatic relations with China had been recently restored, and Russo-Japanese relations appeared to be normal, Japan had rejected the Soviet’s proposal for a non-aggression pact, “ apparently paying more attention to Imiperialistio war-waging than to commonsense.” These circumstances must he remembered when arranging the defence of the Far Eastern frontiers.

EUROPEAN ATTITUDE. ACTION BY POWERS. "ABSURD TO FIGHT.” WAITING POLICY ADVISED. United Press Assn,— Else. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 22. The Times says it would frankly be foolish to Imagine that the countries which compose the League of Nations are prepared to fight Japan in order to prevent the Japanese and Manohukuan armies securing the province of Jehol. The Assembly has done its part and the countries with interests in the Far East must themselves decide what policy Is likely to conduce to an early restoration of peaceful oonditions. If they decide on a policy of waiting, which in many circumstances wmuld be the wisest .course, there is no reason why they should facilitate hostilities by - allowing frosh supplies of arms to reach the belligerents.

LITTLE INFORMATION. NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION. OFFICIAL NEWS SCARCE. (Bv Telegraph.—Press Association.) ‘ WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Very little information lias been received by the I’rimo Minister, Mr G. W. Forbes, from the Dominions Office concerning developments in Manchuria. When asked last night if the Government of New Zealand was being kept well informed of the changes which were rapidly taking place in the situation there and at Geneva, the Prime .Minister said that so far little official news hail been received, in me. event of the- situation taking a turn likely lo affect the British Empire, the usual consultative channels between the British Government and the Dominions would he used.