TENSION EASES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 28, 25 September 1931, Page 3

TENSION EASES

Press Assoeiation-

withdrawal of japanese troops to original positions GOVERNMENT BLAMES ARMY Rec. Sept. 24, 9.50 p.m.

—Copyright.

By Telephone — "Post" Specia.l Service. SHANGHAI, Thursday. Manchurian despatches confirmed by Tokio, report the commencement of the withdrawal of Japanese troops to their original positions, relaxing the tension in South Manchuria for the first time since Friday. Marshall Chang-Hsueh-liang is being urged by the Japanese field commander to return to Multden from Peking where he has been recuperating from an illness. The Japanese promise to co-oper-ate for the maintenance of peace and order. The Japanese decision is believed to be prompted by a desire to avoid the League of Nations' interference and so localise the incident.

An earlier message stated that the advance on Harbin was reported to be proceeding, despite denials from Tokyo. Chinese troops at Harbin swarmed inwards ahead of the advancing Japanese and are preparing to quit the city, fearing Japanese occupation. Gen6ral Chiang Kai-shek, China's President, received a telegram from the Soviet Consul at Harbin and has called the attention of the Japanese Consul to the fact that the Japanese military movements are interfering with the operations of the Chinese Eastern Railway.

British, French, American, German and other consults at Harbin have urgently conferred and decided to ascertain Japan's intentions so that they can protect foreigners in the event of the emergency arising. White Russian's Arrival It is rumoured that Atamen Senenoff, the notorious White Russian leader, has arrived at Mukden incog- j nito. i The report that Russian troops are mobilising on the border has strengthened the belief held by many Chinese at Harbin that a secret understanding exists between Japan and Soviet for a division of the spoils in Manchuria. The Chinese Minister in Japan, at Tokyo, had a conference with Baron Shidehara, Foreign Minister, in which the latter blamed the War Ministry for the Manchurian events. The Chinese Minister confirms the division in the Japanese Cabinet. From the beginning operations have apparently been carried out independent of the i Tokyo Government, which to-day j granted funds to support the Army in Manchuria, where, failing China's j complete surrender, it will stay in- | definitely. Japan Wants Guarantee I Nanking has been advised that Ja- j pan is considering the League's com- I munication and expects to intimate j its readiness to withdraw troops to the railway zone, where they are en- j titled to remain, but that it is first necessary to secure a guarantee from ' China regarding the safety of Japan- | ese nationals and property. The Foreign Office at Nanking this afternoon dispatched a third Note of protest to Japan, reiterating the previous demands for the immediate withdrawal and restoration of the seized territories. The Note points out that since the delivery of the previous Notes the Japanese military movements have extended and are increasing the danger to peace in the Far East. The military authorities at Tokyo maintain that they are well within their treaty rights, and that a sudden emergency justified their action in Manchuria.