JAPANESE ADVANCE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 27, 24 September 1931, Page 3

JAPANESE ADVANCE

Press Asso'iatio

— "I'ost" Sneeial Seiwice.

negotiations may follow league of nations appeal RUSSIAN INTERESTS INVOLVED Rec. Sept. 23, 10.15 p.m.

n — Cioiivrisrht.

By Telenhone-

SHANG1IAI, Wed. It is "understood that direct negotiations between Nanking and Tokio regarding the Manchurian crisis are likely as a resHt of an appeal made by the League of Nations. Japanese troops occupying Kirin have warned Chinese troops that unless their arms are syirrendered by noon, force will be used and an attack launched on the unoccupied districts in Kirin. Ihe staffs of important Japanese con ,'erns at Harbin are evaeuating and the civilian volunteer corps is patrolling the streets. The position of the Japanese community in Harbin is critical. Troops are in readiness to proeeed there, whieh will constitute an invasion of the Russian sphere. Numerous messages announce the departure of portion of the Japanese 2nd Division from Kirin to Harbin, whcre the Japanese Consular authoritie ; have requested additional protection in eonsequence of several hosjile demonstrations, including bor.ib-throwing and incendiarism. Japan's advance on Harbin is being watched with breathless interest in Shrnghai, and the movement is regarded as a direct affront to Russia. Jayanese control in Manchuria extends hourly. It is estimated that 150,000 square miles are already occuyied. Japanese warships are reported to have landed troops at Tsingtao, Chinwargtao and numerous important por ;s. Addressing a full meeting of the Ku nnintang, the President, Marshal Chimg ICai-shek, said that if the Lergue of Nations and the signatory Poi -ers to the Kellogg Pact failed to upl old justice, the National Governme:it was prepared for a final, supreire struggle. Japanese women and children have bec l ordered to evacuate Nanking to-i.iorrow.