FOREIGN CONCESSIONS THREATENED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 168, 3 August 1937, Page 7

FOREIGN CONCESSIONS THREATENED

(Eeceived 3, 8.45 a.ui.) SHANGHAi, Aug. 2. White Bussians, accomrimied by Japanese troops, are reported to have raided the Soviet Consulate at Tientsin and seized correspondence. A message from Tientsii says that the Japanese forces have notified for. eign Consuls that they intend to «ccupy the southern end of Tientsin, where numerous foreign nationals live, as they believe that hostilo Chinese are sheltering there. The Japanese have also announeed that they intend to bomb any area where anti-Japanese action oceurs. General Katsuki, Japanese Commander-in-Chief ih North China, has issued a statement declaring that it depends on the Central Government at Nauking whether armed force is used fuct.her tfiroughout the whole of China. The moVements of troops uorthward must cease, he says. A message from Nanking -fiys that Marshal Chiang Kiai-shek is :onferring with General Pai Chun-hsi, one of the greatest Chinese strategists and a bitter opponent of Japan. The meeting is regarded as significant, as the parties were bitter personal enemies and did not meet for several years. Fears of major hostilities are intensifed owing to reports that the Chinese forces are planning • counter* offensive at Tientsin. Thousands of Chinese are fleeing from the area, and a whole evacuation of Japanese residents from Central China is also pro_ ceeding.