FIGHTING STOPS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1932, Page 5

FIGHTING STOPS

JAPANESE OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED ORDERS TO CEASE FIRE. (United, Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received thi-s day at 9.25 a.m) TOKYO. -March 3. It is officially stated that Japanese troops, having now effected their object, having driven of the 19th artny, will not attack further unices they are them- ■ selves attacked. Detachments who in the course, of operatives proceeded to beyond twenty kilometres are returning to that line awaiting confirmation that ■the Chinese are not returning and then withdrawing to the Shanghai-Woosung line, leaving a twenty kilometres zone to be guarded by neutral forces. A meeting of local commands has •been arranged for this afternoon to > discuss the situation. It is hoped the (fighting is finished, and that the troops at present afloat will be utilised for replacements, all returning home upon the restoration of normal conditions.

TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM. CHINESE DECLINE SURRENDER. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received this day at fl.tifi h tn) SHANGHAI, March 3. • Hostilities ceased abruptly at 3 p.m. The Japanese forces received an official order to cease firing amid tremendous enthusiasm. ■ ” The Japs officially ceased firing this afternoon, General Shirakawa issuing a notification to troops to halt the advance and also hostilities, unless attacked hy (Chinese. Simultaneously Admiral Nomura, Commander of the third fleet, announced the cessation of hostilities, the Japanese having achieved their objective, the Chinese being driven beyond the twenty kilometre fcone. An official .announcement on these lines was issued by the- Japanese consulate.

The was received with tremendous enthusiasm in Japanese lines, soldiers and bluejackets cheering and shouting “banzai,” and dancing and waving the’r arms. 'The Japanese civilian popution and officials are entertaining lavishly, and 'hags are fluttering on Japanese property. * The Japanese commander through the Chinese endeavoured to persuade troops defending Woosiing area to surrender but the offer was reject-eel. The Japanese bombardment thereafter was merciless, naval' gun s pounding the village. Finally the Chinese resistance became weaker and weaker and Japanese ipfantry completed the slaughter, General Tancllisui coinmanding the forts, war, among the killed) having an* hounced his determination to resist to t e last, The suddenness with which /the ifighting glided, left the peacemaking officials considerably in" the air.

(RECEPTION OF THE NEWS. GENEVA, March 3. With the announcement of Japan’s “cease fire,” confronting them at the breakfast table, the l special. Sino-Jap-anese Assembly delegates met with wreathed smiles. It was significant that the whole of America’s disarmament delegates were seated in the diplomatists’ gallery. JAPANESE TO WITHDRAW. POUND TABLE CONFERENCE. (Received 10.35 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 3. The city breathed a sigh of relief over the cessation of hostilities. The month's war has cost thousands of killed and wounded, and enormous loss to Chinese and foreign property. The outcome of the Round Table Conference depends on whether the Japanese undertake a withdrawal of their troops in the Shanghai area. A Tokio message released here states (that the withdrawal of Japanese troops takes place in three stages. In the meantime, the Japanese forces continue to maintain peace and order where they are situated. The Shanghai municipal police have resumed duty in the city. It is semi-officially reported that the Pound 'Table Conference will consist of the Japanese Minister, Shigemitsu, Admiral Nomura, Major-General Tashiro, .and Mr Aktsuoka, the well known •Japanese. China will he represented by T)r, Wellington Koo, former Ambassador at London, and Quotaichi, former commissioner of foreign affairs at Shanghai. The British, 'French, American and Ttn 1 ian ministers will also participate.

WOOSUNG FORTS CAPTURED. CHINESE CIVE GROUND. SHANGHAI, .flunh 3. The Japanese forces under cover of a heavy barrage from their warships, stormed and captured Woosmig Forts at 8 a.m. An eye-witness states that the Japanese methods arc siini.'.;r to the manner in which they captured Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War. The troops of the 19th Chinese Division, which held the barriers near the North Station, and resisted many Jepanese attacks with much determination have evacuated their positions, and moved South. The Chinese declare they will oiler resistance, if the Japanese attack the new positions. The persistence of the Japanese military activities at Shanghai, at a time where peace overtures are pro-

eeeding is generally attributed to the desire ot the Japanese commanders not to break off hostilities, in circumstances which tlie Chinese could possibly represent as a victory. 'Uie Chinese retreat from the positions they evacuated during the night continues. It is stated tliat their intention is to occupy a prepared line to the west, a little over 19 miles from Shangnai to test the Japanese commander's piomise to cease all military operations, provided tlie Chinese withdraw to a line 20 kilometres from Shanghai. j

lr-jughout the day, the Japanese followed up the retreat, and sporadic fighting occurred w.th the Chinese rearguards. By nightfall, the Japanese Had occupied Clier.ju and T’czang and were approaching Nanziang, where fresh positions occupied hy the Chinese were later reported to have been taken.

The Japanese state that the Chinese retreat was enforced by the successful attacks against their centre yesterday, and the outflanking caused by the arrival of fresh Japanese divisions at Liuho.

ASSEMBLY AT GENEVA. FORWARD MOVEMENT AFOOT. RUGBY, March 2. Conversations designed to effect an actual cessation of hostile movements are taking place at Shanghai. Sir Johii Simon urged upon the Japanese representative at Geneva, the necessity for putting an immediate stop to hostilities, iufd tlie latter promised to do his utmost to secure n cessation of fighting. Arrangements have been completed at Geneva for a meeting, on Thursday, of the League of Nations’ Assembly, specially convened to consider the Sino-Japanese dispute. The President of the League Council (M. Boncour), in a letter to Viscount Sato, acknowledging receipt of the Japanese acceptance of the Council’s proposal for an immediate international conference in Shanghai, points out that these proposals were subject for local arrangements being made for a cessation of hostilities. The letter adds that the Assembly could not begin while the guns were still roaring in the Far East. Viscount Sato arranged to see M. Boncour later.

Press reports state that a conference attended by the Japanese and Chinese representatives, tvas held to-night, aboard Admiral Sir Howard Kelly’s flagship, LI.M.S. Kent. \

CHINESE DISAPPROVAL. GENEVA, March !L Viscount Sato, informed M. Boncour regarding Japan’s condition fer peace handed to Admiral Kelly, who siiiiinioheti a conference aboard hist flagship H-M.S. Kent. Mr Yen Chinos** delegate, solemnly declares to the League Council Unit China cannot believe she blundered in relying on the Convenant, whose production. cost 10,000,000 lives, and was backed up by forty-five nations. If Japan is right, militarism and brute force must resume sway, but if the new order is to be preserved the hour has struck to defend it.