MANCHURIA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1931, Page 5

MANCHURIA

JAPANESE REPORT. OF PROPOSED CHINESE ATTACK. (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) TOKYO, November 12. The Japanese command in Manchuria learns from an intercepted Chinese wireless, that attacks are planned with the object to drive out Japanese from north and south Manchuria. Tokyo gravely fears the possibility oi Chinese staging an offensive, relying on their numerical superiority and thereby forcing Japanese action which would be regarded as regrettable in view of the League Council meeting on the 16th.

A representative of the north of “China Daily News” at present at Harbin wires that he has actually seen a photograph of the Japanese ultimatum to the Governor of Heilung Kiang, ordering him to vacate Tsitsihar..

LEAGUE COUNCIL. HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT. I RUGBY, November 11. Iu the House of Commons, Sir J. Simon (Foreign Secretary) made a statement, during question time, on the Manchurian situation. After rehearsing the efforts of the League of Nations’ Council to effect a settlement, and 'after 'referring to Him lOoune'U’s resolution of October 24th, Sir John Simon said : “Since the adjournment of the Council, further endeavours have been made to promote an agreement. These will be carefully explored when the Council reassembles. Meanwhile, some portion of the Japanese troops are understood to have been withdrawn within the railway zone, though fresh, hostilities have , occurred in North Western Manchuria. I propose to attend the adjourned meeting of the Council in Paris on the 16th of November, and I have every hope that the Council, under the distinguished Presidency of M. Briand, and with the moral support which I earnestly trust that the United States Government will continue to afford, will be able to compose this unfortunate dispute.’’ It is .understood that Lord Cecil will accompany ‘Sir J. Simon to Paris for the meeting of the League Council.

Sir I J. 'Simon ('Foreign Secretary), speaking at Birmingham, announced that the United States had instructed Colonel Dawes to attend the League of Nations Council meeting in Paris, and said there was l good ground for hoping for an amicable settlement of the Mdtichurian dispute to be attained, and for the moral authority of the League to be sustained. Britain’s interpatioiiai policy should be inspired by the League of 'Nations ideal.