CHINA PREPARES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 October 1931, Page 3

CHINA PREPARES

(Press Assn.

war threatens economic blockade of chief ports by japanese WARSHIPS IN CHINESE WATER

— -By Telegraph — Copyright.)

Rec. Oct. 13, 8.30 p.m. SHANGHAI, Tuesday. An economic blockade of the most important Chinese ports by the Japanese is foreshadowed. Six cruisers, eight destroyers and 14 gunboats are already in Chinese waters and many are reported to have been prepared to leave Japan at a moment's notice. The political atmosphere from Canton to Manchuria, especially .at Nanking and Shanghai, is supercharged with fearful expectancy and the situation is regarded as extremely grave. Wealthy Chinese are quitting Nanking- which, it is rupioured, the Japanese intend to occupy. It is reported that the Nanking archives have already been emptied of important doeuments. Locally, steps are being quietly and earnestly taken in preparation for the defence of Chinese territory. A remarkable feature of the situation is the unity displayed among the former enemy militarists, who are pledging support to the Nanking Government, should the League of Nations fail China, and the country be forced into war. Presi'dent Chiang Kai-Shek's declaration yesterday that he is prepared to bankrupt China for the next 50 years in order to fight Japan in the event of the League of Nations failing to seeure peace, coupled with Japan's announcement of its determination not to allow the League to interfere, is not regarded locally as hot air. All the signs point to Japan's determination to continue its militaristic programme.