CHINA AND JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1931, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN

JAPS BOMB RAILWAYS.

REI NFOR CEMENTS SOUG HT

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. 1

TOKYO, Nov. 17

The situation jn Northern Manchuria. is growing worse. Regal dless of Japan’s request to Central MaOhan’jj troops to keep at a distance to enable, the Japanese to retire from the Nonni region, several skirmishes are reported. The Japanese, military authorities intimate that instead of'a withdrawal of the troops, reinforcements are being urgently called up.

It is reported to-day that tiro Japanese have bombed the Chinese Eastern Railway, which action may involve the Soviet.

CHINA’S OFFER

TO GO TO THE LEAGUE.

RUGBY, Nov. 16

The League of Nations Council met at Paris in connection with the SinoJapanese dispute. M. Briand reviewed the situation to date, and, Sir P. Simon gave an assurance of Britain’s collaboration in the League’s efforts to settle the difficulty. The Council considered its procedure in a private session, and adjourned until to-mor« row. v

According to the Paris press telegrams, the problem may be dealt with both in relation to the Paris Pact for the Renunciation of War, and to the Chinese Note expressing China’s' willingness to submit all the treaty questions to the International Court at The Hague.

LEAGUE COUNCIL

PARTS, Nov. 16

The chief fcnture s of the League of Nations Council’s critical session here (which was held in the historic clockroom of the Quay d’Orsai) were that it was one of the shortest on record, lasting only twenty minutes. Another feature was an avoidance by the Chinese and Japanese delegates of an open debate, which might have precipitated the issue.

M. Briand, the President.) adrotty substituted private conversations. M. Briand, speaking with difficulty, owing to a racking cough, recalled J #at although Japan had not withdrawn her troops in accordance with the League Council’s resolution of September 30th, requiring such a wjthdraval by to-day (November 16), he had nevertheless received an as-, sufance that Japan undertook to respect engagements. M. Briand added, in referring to Japan’s five points, that four of them were covered by the Council’s resoluthions, while the possibility! of an understanding concerning the fifth wa s contained in Mr Sze’s letter indicating the readiness of China to submit the interpretation and the legality of the Treaties to arbitration, but adding that Japan refused to admit the possibility of the invalidity of the treaties.

M, Briand then suggested private conversations as the best procedure. Thereupon the Council adjourned. Mr Sze, speaking in a private session, urged that there should be as many public meetings of the Council as possible to enable the Chinese to be fully informed. ,

General Dawes (U.S.A. delegat®) was not present. He may attend later in the., week, ‘

LEAGUE INTERVENTION.

JAPANESE INTENTIONS

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, November IV

The “Guardian’s’’ Paris correspondent says what seems likeliest is that the League Council rvill bring pressure on China to negotiate with Japan, without the withdrawal of Japanese troops, and without even fixing a date for ' the withdrawal.

Information received by the League suggests tne Japanese contemplate permanent occupation. They everywhere deposing the local author--ities, and preparing to establish a new Government under Japanese control. TOKIO, November. 17.

Conspicuous among the reinforcements' from Japan were squadrons of aeroplanes, including bombers to-day. It is feared ’the Japanese are placing little trust in the professions of the northern General who is believed to be .strongly supported in Nanking.