GLOOMY PREDICTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20271, 13 August 1937, Page 7

GLOOMY PREDICTIONS.

THE CHINA—JAPAN DISPUTE. HOSTILITIES ON A WAR SCALE EXPECTED PROBABLE BOMBARDMENT FROM WARSHIPS & PLANES I ! ; (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Aug. 13, 1 p.m.) LONDON, August 12. “An outbreak of hostilities on a war scale is inevitable,” declared an official df the Japanese Embassy in London. A few hours later a message received in London from Nanking gave the following statement from the Chinese Foreign Office: “China has no alternative but to act in selfdefence and resist aggression. The responsibility for future developments rests entirely with Japan.” Shanghai expects that Japan’s next step, following the refusal to withdraw troops, will be an ultimatum, followed in the event of repeated refusal by a bombardment from the warships or an air attack. Reports from Japan indicate that the most serious view is taken in Tokio, where the Ministers of War, the Navy and Foreign Affairs conferred at the Premier’s residence, after which the War Minister summoned the army chiefs to discuss the decision to be taken in conference.