SIGN OF PEACE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20351, 25 September 1931, Page 11

SIGN OF PEACE.

* JAPANESE TROOPS WITHDRAWING. TENSION RELAXED. INFLUENCE OF THE LEAGUE. (UXITED TREE'S ASSOCIATION— Jrt ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH— COPSRWUr.) (Received Soptember 24th, 9.50 p.m.) SHANGHAI, September 24. Manchurian dispatches, confirmed by a Tokio report, state that the commencement of the withdrawal of Japanese troops from their original positions is relaxing tho tension in South Manchuria for the first tune since Friday. Marshal Chang llsueh Liang is being urged by the Japanese Fiel Commander to return to Mukden irom Peiping, where he has been recuperating from illness, tho Japanese promising tq co-operate for the maintenance of peace and order. The Japanese decision is believed to have been prompted by a desire to avoid interference by the League of Nations, and so localise the incident. The Foreign Office has received a telegram from the League of Nations Council, and the news that the League's machinery is functioning had a calming effect in the capital. The Chineso Minister at Tokio had a conference with Baron Kijuro Shidehnra, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which tho latter blamed the War Ministry for tho Manchurian events. The Chinese Minister confirms the fact that there is a division in the Japanese Cabinet. The Jax'anese advance on Harbin is reported to be proceeding in spite of Tokio'b denials.

British, French, American, German, and other Consuls at Harbin urgently conferred, ami decided to ascertain Japan's intentions, go that they can protect tho foreigners in the event of an emergency arising. The report that Russian troops are mobilising on the border has strengthened the belief held by many Chinese at Harbin that a secret understanding exists between Japan and the Soviet for a division of tho spoils of Manchuria. It is rumoured that Atamen Semen off, the notorious White Russian leader, has arrived at Mukden incognito. Japan Seeks Guarantees. Chinese troops at Ilarbin swarmed inwards, ahead of tho advancing Japanese, preparing to quit the city, fearing Japanese occupation. President Chiang Kai Slick received a telegram from the Soviet Consul at Harbin, and called tho attention of the Japanese Consul to the fact that Japanese military movements are interfering with the operations of the Chineso Eastern railway. Nanking has been advised that Japan is considering the League's communication, and expects to intimate her readiness to withdraw her troops to the railway zono, where they are entitled to remain, but it is first necessary to secure a guarantee from China regarding the safety of Japanese nationals and property. The Nanking Foreign Offico this afternoon dispatched a third Note of protest to Japan, reiterating the previous demands for the immediate withdrawal and restoration of tho seized territories.

The Note points out that since the delivery of previous Notes Japanese military movements liavo extended, and are an increasing danger to peace in the .Far East. OPERATIONS COMPLETED. (Received September 25th, 1.20 a.m.) TOKJO, September 24. The Military Council declared that the army had completed operations in Manchuria, but it will maintain the status quo until questions have been settled, leaving negotiations to the Foreign Office.

UNITED STATES NOTE. APPEAL FOR PEACE. (Received September 24th, 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 23. The Secretary of State, Mr H. L. Sthnson, after nn all-day conference with his advisers and an interview with the Japanese Ambassador and tho Chinese ' representative, sent an appeal to Japan and China to stop hostilities in Manchuria. He also sent a Note to the League of Nations informing it of his action.

POLICY OF JAPAN. FUNDS FOR THE ARMY. TOKIO, September 23. The military authorities maintain that they are well within their Treaty rights, and that the sudden emergency justified their action in Manchuria. the beginning, their operations were apparently carried out independently of the Tokio Government, which to-day granted funds to support tne army in Manchuria, whore, failing China's complete surrender, it will stay indefinitely.

AGGRESSION DENIED. CHINESE CONSUL-GENERAL'S""" STATEMENT. SYDXJSY, September 24. The Consnl-General for China, Mr "NV. P. Chen, denied that the Chinese liad been the aggressors in the clash with the Japanese in Manchuria. Indeed, the Chiuese were totally unprepared for the onslaught. The Japanese Government; had sent troops, who bombarded and occupied jJukden and other cities without a formal declaration of w&r, u&}pg the alleged preteace that Chinese soldiers had torn up ft section of the Southern Mancjiurlan railway. "I maintain that the story of the attack , was engineered for foreign consumption," ho declared.