IN THE EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1932, Page 5

IN THE EAST

CHINA’S ATTITUDE

AGAINST MILITARY PRESSURE.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

SHANGHAI, March 15

The Nanking Foreign Office announced that the Chinese delegate at Geneva has been instructed formally to inform the League’ of China’s acceptance of the League’s resolution, but to insist that a settlement of the Si no- 1 Japanese dispute cannot be made under military pressure. Further, China is unable to assume responsibility for the State of affairs in Shanghai and Manchuria. Also, China regards the League resolution as including the puppet government of Manchuria, which infringes the territorial and political integrity of China. Reports from Loyang state that the Szechuenese troops are massing and gradually moving eastward for some purpose unknown. It is believed to to indicate the possibility of civil war in that area.

By the week-end, it is expected that three-sevenths of the Japanese forces stationed in the Shanghai area will have returned to Japan.

The League Commission, which arrived yesterday, embarked on a programme of lavish entertainment.

MYBTERIOUJJ MONEY.

BEQUEST MADE TO CHINESE.

LONDON, March 16

The “Morning Post” correspondent at Rome says: A mysterious old German,' Heinrich Basse, died at Bressamon,s. He seemingly was in wretched poverty. The authorities, however, found a steel box containing bank books showing he had accounts in. German and English banks and also keys of various safe deposits, and he left a will bequeathing his total estate to the Chinese people, through the Chinese Government, so long as the money is used for a struggle against Europeans. The clue to this strange bequest is believed to Ha in other queer discoveries. For instance there is a letter received from the ex-Kaiser on the occasion of Basse's eightieth birthday last year, there is a document showing that Basse served in the Prussian Guard, also a badge of the French espionage ser vice, and papers of the Soviet Government. The fortune, it is believed, amounts to half-a-million sterling.

It is suggested that the fortune represents special secret funds' of- the late German Imperial Authorities which were accumulated when Basse was a banker. The bequest to the Chinese people is regarded as a cynical gesture to dispose of inculpating moneys.

LEAGUE COMMISSION

REMAINING AT SHANGHAI.

CHINESE LOSSES ESTIMATES.

SHANGHAI, March 16. The League Commission announced its intention of remaining here until there appears to be a definite possibility of settling the Sino-Japanese dispute at Shanghai. Meantime the Chinese are compiling data as fast as possible to submit to the Commission for the purpose of showing the wholesale destruction in Chinese areas. According to the data prepared by the Social Affairs Bureau at Greater Shanghai, the civilian casualties at Cliapei, Kinngwan and Woosung, total over six thousand killed, two hundred wounded, and many thousands missing. Property losses are estimated at fourteen hundred millions.