FAR-EAST CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 7

FAR-EAST CRISIS

JAPANESE LEAVE HANKOW. CHINESE TAKE OVERVICTORY PREDICTED. (United Press Association—By ElectricTelegraph.—Copyright.) HANKOW, Aug. 8. Tile Japanese have evacuated their concession here, hauling down their flag and removing the defences. The Chinese civil authorities have taken over tiie administration. A Nanking message says that the Chinese Christian General Feng YuHsiang, in a broadcast, predicted victory, saying: “If Japan mobilises 28 divisions China is ready to 'mobilise 450,000,000 people. Unless the Japanese Imperialists unconditionally return tiie occupied territory China will have no alternative but to embark on a life and death struggle.”

ACTIVITIES AT HANKOW. JAPANESE YVITHDRAW. HANKOW, Aug. 7. Tiie Japanese Government has ordered the withdrawal of forces from Hankow, owing to fear of serious hostilities. The Chinese authorities are taking over the administration of tiie Japanese concession, which civilians have already evacuated. A Pekin message says that rains have halted military movements in North China. The Japanese control strategic points on the railways north, east and west of the city. MR HIROTA’S SPEECH. STILL HOPES OF PEACE. LONDON, Aug. 7. Tho Daily Telegraph’s Tokio correspondent says Mr Hirota’s statement m the Diet that Japan must deal sympathetically with Nanking’s claims in any North China settlement lias aroused great interest. He also declared that not all Chinese entertained anti-Japa-nese sentiments. He added: “If Communist activity in China could bo curbed a peaceful settlement is still possible. China needs something from Japan and Japan needs something from China. Armed actions will not solve the problem.”

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE. PEERS APPROVE BIG SUM. TOKIO, Aug. 7. Tho House of Peers has passed a supplementary Estimate of £24,000,000 for expenditure on the North Chinese expedition. RETURN TO JAPAN. PRINCE CHICHIBU’S DECISION. Received August 9, 9.20 a.m. TOKIO, Aug. 8. Prince Chicliibu, tiie brother of Emperor Hirohito, and Princess Chicliibu are cancelling the remainder of their European engagements and are returning to Japan in view of the siauation in China. Prince Chicliibu represented Japan at the Coronation of King George.