JAPAN’S GRIP IN MANCHURIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 357, 18 May 1928, Page 1

JAPAN’S GRIP IN MANCHURIA

MENACED BY CHANG’S DOWNFALL TOKYO READY FOR SUCH EVENTUALITY (United P.A.—Bu Telegrapn — Copyright) (United Serviced Reed. 9.13 a.m. TOKYO, Thursday. WHILE unconfirmed Japanese military reports from Mukden state that Marshal Chang- Tso-lin has le't Peking for Tientsin, it is not believed at the War Offices here that Chang intends to abandon Peking without a struggle

A high official Informed a corres--ondent that the military advices indicate that Chang is prepared to make a final struggle to defend the Tien-•am-Pekicg railway, and if forced to -sireat he will follow the two lines

iveriand northward to Peking and along the railway via Tientsin and Shanhaikwan. In the meantime it is emphasised that Japan is fully determined not to tolerate any disruption of peace in

Ja ’ f nd 18 P re Pared to despateli any troops necessary, even to v nil y strong contingents at Shanhatkwan, throughout Manchuria and m part of Mongolia. W h j! e no Japanese will admit that the possibility of Imperial and political control of Manchuria may become nacess, are growing indications that Japan is prepared for such an eventuality, as it is realised that a crushing defeat of Chang Tso-lin in the Peking Tientsin area will likely render it impossible for him to maintain Manchurian control, and will make insurrection almost inevitable. With a view to preparing for eventualities in Manchuria, the Emperor Hirohito this afternoon sanctioned the dispatch of a battalion of artillery., a regiment of infantry, and an air squadron to Tientsin, and the return of the Toyama Brigade from Tsinan to Manchuria. The treaty rights allow Japan 15,000 men in the Manchurian railway zone, but the War Office states that any number of troops necessary may be sent to other Manchurian points. The Government is shortly issuing a statement to both Peking and Nanking, regarding Japanese rights in Manchuria and Mongolia. Indicating the serious view that Japanese commerce takes of the Chinese situation, 70 representatives of Japanese firms in Korea, Manchuria, China and Siberia met to-day at Tokyo, under the auspices of the Spinners’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Japanese Business Association, ard heard reports preparatory to outlining the business concerns’ attitude to the Government. A Shanghai message says:—The Northerners’ action against General Feng Yu-hsiang and the Shansi troops in the neighbourhood of the Wangtu-Peking-Hankow line opened yesterday, and is reported to be developing into a major engagement, the decision of which the Japanese expect within a week.

The Peking population is panic stricken.