MANCHURIA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1931, Page 5

MANCHURIA

CHINA’S SERIOUS CHARGES

BRITAIN ASKED TO INTERVENE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegr a ph.—Copyright.)

GENEVA, Nov. 12,

In connection with the China-Japan-dispute, there has been a further documentary battle. I'ive Chinese notes have been delivered. They request Britain immediately to intervene so as to prevent serious developments in Tsitsihar, where to-day, General Honjo (Japanese Commander) Las allegedly issued an ultimatum to the Chinese, demanding their- instant evacuation.

The Chinese notes allege that Japanese, armed .with a machine gun, seized the Funchowan Anthracite Colliery, which the Chinese request to be returned to the lawful owners.

China also asserts that the Japanese a-re forging land deeds and mining licenses in Mukden and in Kirin in favour of their nationals,- whereby two thousand Chinese landowners have suffered.

JAPAN’S ALLEGATION

85,000 BANDITS

GENEVA, Nov. 12

The Japanese have sent a lengthy communique to the. League, declaring that safeguards for life and property are essential in the railway zone in Manchuria, owing to 85,000 Chinese bandits, who are deserters, burning plundering, ravaging, and mnssacreing foreigners and Chinese throughout the country. The Japanese state three Japanese and twenty-five Koreans have been carried off as hostages.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

RUGBY, Nov. 12

The President of the League Council (M. Briand), sent through the Secere-tary-General of the League, a telegram to the Chinese and Japanese Governments, thanking them for the replies to his telegram sent on November 6th, and saying : “After carefully studying these replies, and the latest communications received, I feel I must insist once more on the undertaking entered into by both Governments to make every effort to avoid any aggravation 'of the situa-y tion. I consider it extremely important that facilities should be given to observers whom members of 'the Council may send to the scene, particularly in the neighbourhood of Norini bridge ar.d Angangelii, to collect the information referred to in the resolution of September 30th.

AMERICAN PROPOSAL. WASHINGTON, Nov. 12

TTnder-Secertary Castle said, today that a compromise plan to be brought forward at the League of 'Nations session at Paris next week, was the basis for United States optimism over the Manchurian .situation, Other official quarters said the plan had already taken definite shape in communications between the European arid United States statemen, and stood a good chance of acceptnce by, the Japanese and Chinese Governments. Whether the plan involved sending a neutral commission to Manchuria was not disclosed. Officials conceded that an extreme outbreak might overturn the present 'prospect of adjustment. The United States Government believes that the Japanese occupation was originally a military coup, executed without backing from Tokio. It is far easier for the Japanese soldiers to get into Manchuria than it is for them to get out.

CHINA’S REPLY TO M. BRIAND. (Received this day at. 9.25 a xn) GENEVA., November 13. China’s reply to M. Briand maintains that the situation is becoming more? dangerous 'bud exasperating daily, owing to Japan’s alleged acts of aggravation. The Chinese Government would welcome the dispatch of neutral observers, to the scenes of Japanese activities. . ' another clash.

CHINESE CAVALRY' SUMMONED.

SHANGHAI, November 13. Reports have been received that the Chinese and Japs clashed at Tsitishar following the Japanese ultimatum to Iveilung Kiang. the Governor, to quit the city. The engagement lasted for three hours, but it is believed that it is unfinished,, as the Chinese general is despatching a strong force of crack cavalry to attack the Japanese flank. Japanese residents at Manclnfii. on the Manchurian-,Siberian border, in view of the increasing gravity of the situation, are leaving the (*ity.