CHINA AND JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1932, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN

STRAIN OF EVENTS CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. r - - /(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) GENEVA, March G. Tile strain of events at Miangnu! has reacted on the seu-controi ol \ istount toato and Ur. Yen, the latter ,/ asserting that the Japanese ofliceis had net concealed their intention of '* " V ) taking the entire region between Shangliai and Nanking. Viscount Sato retorted that Shanghai is a “whispering gallery,” where lalse rumours and biased news were bred. Dr. Yen angrily protested and the exchanges persisted lor 45 minutes. M. Boncour, commenting, said that the daily continuance ol the dispute was stulting the functioning of the Assembly. Sir John Simon laughingSy intervened, remarking: “It should iacili- ■ tate a peaceful solution! of the present \ controversy, if local hostilities are L -V suspended.” The position at Shanghai is that all the Chinese forces are outside the 20 kilometre zone,-and the Japanese state that all their troops remain within that zone, although it is hot quite clear whether this applies rilso to the reinforcements recently landed in the Liuho neighbourhood, General hostilities have ceased, ah though where the Chinese and Japanese are in close contact, occasional bursts of rifle fire have occurred, notably in the Naziang area. In accordance with the request of the League Assembly, the officers of the neutral Powers with special interests in Shanghai, are investigating the situation on the spot.

At Geneva this morning, when the General Committee of the Assembly met, the Secretary-General, Mr Drummond, announced that he had received a notification that the United States Government has given instructions for the American military,' naval and civilian representatives "to -co-operate with those of other Powers, .in. the spirit of the resolution passed by tlie Assembly.

JAPAN’S INTENTIONS. TO WITHDRAW FROM LEAGUE. (Received this day at 8 a.rn.) TOKYO, March 7. Jt is stated in certain official quarters, that Japan is rapidly approaching (* a decision to withdraw from the League when the present embroglio is finished, 1 . .emulating the position of America towards the League, recent statements at • Geneva of representative of similar Powers are irritating and increasing the '■ anti-league public opinion, already in a majority.

JAPANESE INTENTIONS, CHINESE CONCENTII ATIONS. ' • 'Received this day at 9.25 a.m) SHANGHAI, March 7, ’A Tokyo statement that Japanese intend. keeping a permanent garrison j here, is perturbing Chinese officials, \ who however, have not attempted negotiations regarding the status of the area at present occupied. The local situation is steadily growing worse. Chinese refuse to recommence (business and native banka 1 remain closed. A majority of the shops are only doing surreptitious business. Chinese object to foreign interference at Chapei where conditions threaten the health of the foreign areas. Japanese asked Settlement authorities to control the clearing and policing of Chapei, hut they refuse umess asked by the Chinese. Meantime the Japanese are consolidating their positions on the front. Their planes report heavy concentrations of Chinese at many points beyond the 20 kilometre zone. Incoming passengers by Yangtze river steamers report heavy firing on Lueho area.