CRISIS NEAR

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1932, Page 5

CRISIS NEAR

JAPAN AND CHINA. SHANGHAI AWAITS ANSWER. [United Press Association. —By Electria Telegraph.—Copyright. J SHANGHAI, January 28. Shanghai is awaiting the answer to the Japanese ultimatum, tile time limit of which is fixed tor six o’clock this evening. Meantime there was a sensation this morning, when a bomb exploded against the wall ol the Japanese Consulate, causing much noise but doing little damage. Tile street is one that is being patrolled by both foreign police and Japanese police. Nobody saw the bomb thrower. The incident is therefore regarded with suspicion. It is possible that the design in throwing the bomb was to create an impression among the irresponsible Japanese elements in Shanghai. ULTIMATUM ACCEPTED. REPLY TO JAPANESE CLAIMS. SHANGHAI, January 28. A message lodged here at 12.35 p.m. to-day stated: “The tension in Shanghai has been considerably relaxed today, following upon an intimation from Mayor Wn that the Chinese authorities would agree to the Japanese demands.

Tile Japanese Consul-General, Mural, last night delivered an ultimatum to the Mayor, iiisisting upon a definite reply to the Japnaese claims before six o’clock to-night. Just before midnight, the Mayor issued an order suppressing the antiJapanese organisations and intimating that he would give a definite reply to the Japanese demands to-day. At 4.2 p.m., to-day, it was announced that a reply by the Chinese Mayor Wu, of Greater Shanghai, to the Japanese ultimatum had been delivered at the Japanese Consulate at 2 p.m., and that it accepts the Japanese demands in full. FEELING IN AMERICA. PREPARED TO DEFEND RIGHTS. NEW YORK, January 27. The ““New York Times’s” Washington correspondent states: —“There is a tense feeling here as the zero hour has approached for Japanese action at Shanghai. No American move has been made, so far as has been disclosed, but the United States Government is prepared to defend American rights. “A British reply to the United States Secretary, Mr Stimson, who has suggested possible joint AngloAmerican action in any emergency at Shanghai, lias not yet been received.” JAPANESE BLOCKADE FEARED. ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. LONDON, January 28. The British Government is considering the United States Government’s communication from Washington, concerning the Shanghai situation, which communication is understood to suggest joint diplomatic action by Britain and the United States in the crisis. It is regarded in official circ'-s ns unlikely that Britain will take the same view as that of the United States. It is understood that the United States fears that the Japanese will now blockade tbe Chinese coast, involving complications at the Shanghai International Settlement, in which America, identifies her interest with that of Britain. America wonders whether tin’s possililit.v justifies co-operation, and she desires a frank statement thereon by Britain. CHANGE FOR THE WORSE. SHANGHAI TROOPS MOBILISE. SHANGHAI, January 28. The situation at Shanghai suddenly changed for the worse, following on the presentation of new demands by the Japanese. One of the demands is reported to be an insistence that all of the Chinese troops shall be withdrawn a distance of fifteen miles from Shanghai. The Shanghai Municipal Council declared a state of emergency at four p.m. to-day. Volunteers have been mobilised. The foreign military and naval forces here are being held on restricted leave. FIGHTING AT HARBIN. TOKIO, January 28. Harbin is in a state of Siege. The communications have been cut oil’. Martial law has been proclaimed there. Chines** regular forces from tin* Kirin Province, are lighting the Chinese railway guards. Japambe tanks and troops have been despatched from Changchun lor the proteetoin of seven thousand Japanese subjects, resident at Harbin. JAPANESE CONSULATE BOMBED. i lIA N GIIAI, January 2«. Two bombs were thrown at Lite Japanese Consulate at Shanghai and failed to explode. Rear-Admiral Kabiosawa I In* Commander of the Japanese Elect, sub.'/.*?n**ntlv moored •> nnnboat alongside the Consular Wall, abutting on the Wbangpoo River, and also placed a landing party within the grounds.