CHINA AND JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1932, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN

**{ A CONTINUOUS BOM BAR QM£NT. CHINA-SOVIET RELATIONS. (United Press .Association—J3y Electric Telegi'apli.—Copyright.)

•SHANGHAI, March 1. The Japanese are cuiiti.Mi.ig an ofj fenyive io-clay, t>o ill bam nig an i,,jii,.;i. 4 An ultima cum requiring the uinnevSe cy ceasu utilising ran«ays co or.ug up their reinforcements was eeihercu Lv> tn. oi' <<,[ CfltUigiiUi. lit is ie.uea that tins \v.i| onset t‘*e progress made oy unofficial peace poUjpui.ers, though, a s u or a pruc- ■\ :tical,y all niglit discussion, it is suited ' that some headway has been made, but insufficient to justify any optimism. t»n attempt uau made to b.env up the Japanese rtagship •Tclziuna,” hicli was moored in sue vxauity if the Japanese Consulate, at 1.20 o'clock th.s •afternoon. It is believed that tliie! Cninese yloatud a sinali boat filled with i high explosives down the Vvhang-pool River, hoping to hit the ‘‘idzuiiid,’’ , but failed to reach their objective by forty yards. There was an enormous explosion, which churned the waters oS» the Winangpoo into a black mass and caused considerable turmoil.

Admiral Shodzama, interviewed on his flagship regarding the explosion, said there was a similar occurrence in the vicinity of the Cruiser 01 further down the harbour at 10.5 p.m. It is believed flouting mines were used with time fuses attached.

DELIBERATION'S OF LEAGUE

HOPES FOR ARMISTICE,

RUGBY, February 29. . Important developmnets, which greatly strengthen the hopes for an early armistice at Shanghai, are reported. 'Direct consultations have taken place between the Chinese and Japanese leaders, on HALS. .Kent, at Shanghai. Arising' out of them. Sir John Simon, supported by the leaders of the United 'States delegation to the Disarmament Conference, and others, have been in almost constant conversations at Geneva, with representatives of the paities to the Far East dispute. The. Council of Twelve of the League of Nations’ 'Council fully examined the position of the negotiations, and this evening there wa s a public meeting of the full Council of the League, over which -*I. 'Paul Boncour 'presided. He cal.ed upon 'Sir John Simon, who said that the report !he had just Received from his Government stated that, during yesterday, a meeting took place in the British

flagship in the river at Shanghai, be-

tween Commanders ; and representatives /l. of the Japanese and Chinese forces, to endeavour to arrange for the cessation of hostilities, Dr Wellington Koo and General Wang represented the Chinese, and Admiral Nam urn and Mr Matsuoko represented the Japanese. The meeting lasted two hours and a-half. The Bri-

tish Admiral, Sir Howard Kelly, was present throughout, and reported that the meeting was most friendly. The meeting discussed the principle of a mutual, simultaneous ■withdrawal of troops, The second point considered' was how too evacuated area was to be controlled. Sir John 'Simon said that he did rot want to suggest that a thorough agreement had been reached, but the tdlegram went on to say that the term., which had been discussed had been referred to the respective Governments at Nanking and Tokio, for consideration.

M- Paul Boncour expressed the greatest satisfaction at-the news. He was (ready to submit to the Council a proposal, that a conference should be held between , China and Japan, and representatives ol the Great Powers inteiested, it being understood that Japan would come to the conference with no territorial or political purpose in China, and that China should approach it with itlie intention ol protecting the safety of foreigners and the integrity of the International Settlement at Shanghai. (The conference would he subject to the necessary measures being taken for an immediate cassation of hostilities. J (These proposals should not prejudice • any other step which might have t 6 be taken by the Council, for a final •settlement of the dispute. He invited China and Japan to indicate their adhesion to these proposals. Sir John (Simon accepted formally, in thfj name of the British Government, the proposals .submitted, and the necessary instructions will he given to j the British representatives at Shangl.ii, to co-operate. He was authorised to state that the American Government was ready to accept the proposals. Viscount Satto (Japan) said that he had riot received full details? and was I)() t yet authorised hv his Government t-, accept, hut would let lhe Council know as soon as possible. Dr Yen (China) said that his Government fully appreciated the efforts of the League and the Lnited States. 'They Would accept the proposal.

RELATIONS ItId.SUM KD. BETWEEN CHINA AND SOVIET. ,SHANGHAI, March 1. The startling decision has been announced at Nanking, that China lma decided to r same full relations with the 'Soviet, which were severed at the time of the Sino-Knssian fighting for

the Chinese '.Eastern Railway in 1929. The ..(Foreign Office officially announces a punitive expedition against the newly created Independent State of Manchuria, together with the resumption of Soviet relations. These reports are regarded a s highly significant. : Following a Japanese report from Vladivostock stating that approximately 100,000 Soviet troops have concentrated in the Ussuri district, additional troops, munitions and foodstuffs are being transported daily eastwards to forb-i under construction in Amur. The Soviet i s at present making inquiries in Manchuria regarding assistance tor tile White Russian Army, also the character of the new .Manchurian Mate. U,S. NAVY RECEIVES ORDER BIGGEST 'MOVEMENT SINCE 1919. ' j WASHINGTON, February 2S ; . Orders have been issued by the 1 Navy Department, which will place 1 virtually the entire United States Navy. * in the- Pacific Ocean. , The orders will place 199 United j' States war vessels west of Panama j c in the category, a.s follows: Twelve s battleships, 17 cruisers, 33 submarines, • I 81 destroyers, three aircraft carriers, 11 and 53 auxiliary. vessels. I The Training Squadron of the (Scouting Force and the Special Ser- n vice Squadron have been ordered to P proceed to the Pacific and to partici- 11 pate for the first time in naval manoeuvres. o

The movement will place the largest number of fighting vessels in the Pacific since 1919,

An official explanation by the Navy Department said that the ships would join the "Black” force in naval manoeuvres, in an attempt to resist the .efforts of the “Blue” force to seize a footho'ld on the Pacific Coast. BRITISH WARSHIPS STAND BY. HONG KONG, February 29. It is now ascertained that 100 raiders stormed Breaker Point Lighthouse and carried oft' the whole nine inhabitants, including Andreynotf, the Russion assistant keeper. The raiders then made off towards the hills whither Chinese troops are being sent. Two British warships are standing by. Cus- j toms officers are working the light. .NO POLITICAL AMBITIONS. . GENEVA, February 29. Japan’s confidential Note to the i 'Council of Twelve, regarding a round- J fable conference at Shanghai, with | the object of ensuring the protection of foreigners, reaffirms that Japan has no political ambitions there.

NEW STATE DECLARED. FOUNDED IN MANCHURIA. TOKYO, March 1. To-day there was a declaration of the founding of a new’ State in Manchuria, whereof the inaugural ceremony will he at Changchun, the capital, on March sth. including the investiture of the chief of the executive of the former Chanehu Emperor, Husan Tung, whom the Chinese deposed. The South Manchurian railway has signed a contract with the new’ Government for twenty milloin yen for the construction of to Government buildingss at Chanchun.

NANKING DECISION. TOKYO, March L Ail official said: “As the world failed to support China against Japanese agression, .the only course is to join hands with Russia.” PEACE PROPOSALS. JAPAN’S ACCEPTANCE. TRIBUTE TO SIR JOHN SIMON. LONDON, March 1. A Tokyo messags says Japan has accepted M. Boncoiir’s peace proposal. A Paris message says French authorities attribute satisfactory developments to Britain’s masterly diplomacy anti Sir John Simon’s briliiance.

FURTHER JAPANESE SUCCESS. - FIERCE FIGHTING TO COME. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 1. One division of Japanese reinforcements landed under covt »• of heavy smoke screens from aeroplanes, fifteen miles up the Yanktse, and striking a heavy blow to the Chinese whose rear is now threatened. The remainder of the reinforcements is still on the transports outside Woosung. A day’s fighting enabled the Japanese to get five miles nearer their objective, the village of Tnzan. The advance was made over open country, and was ns nosed to a withering"'machine gun fire. The Nipponese pushed doggedl v on with heavy losses till the Chinese trenches were taken.

The Japanese realise that, fiercer lighting is ahead before they can gain the secoiul lira* of trenches, where Chiaiig Kai Slicks’ forces have been reinforced during the pest (.hr*" days. General Shirakavva, former Minister of War, arrived to assume the supreme command of the Japanese forces. He savs that 11 1 • > only avenue of peace is llirnii'h the withdrawal ol the Chines;! Armies to the point demawLd.