NORTHERNERS FALL BACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 359, 21 May 1928, Page 9

NORTHERNERS FALL BACK

TOKYO FORCED TO PROMPT ACTION AMERICA KEEPS KEEN EYE ON JAPAN THE Northerners are being worsted in the Chinese fighting, and have retreated 20 miles towards Peking. Japan is watching the position closely and intends to intervene; and America is, in turn, watching Japan. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association)

Reed. Noon. SHANGHAI, Sunday. The Northerners, fighting with their backs to the wall, were defeated in the initial engagement by the combined forces of the Southern allies, following a drive launched at Wangtu yesterday, and are retreating. Three armies are assaulting the Northern defences, namely, the Nationalists, commanded by Chiang Kaishek, the Kuo Minchun, commanded by Feng Yu-hsiang, the so-called ‘‘Christian general,” and the army, Shansi, commanded by Yen Shi-Hsan, Governor of the Shansi Province. They are attacking from three sides, compelling the Northerners to shorten their lines and fall back 20 miles nearer Peking. Two troop trains collided in which defeated Northern soldiers from the Shantung province were being conveyed to Manchuria, and 300 of the troops were killed. Dispatches from Tokyo state that the Japanese Government, through its Minister at Peking, made direct" overtures to Marshal Chang Tso-lin, the Manchurian war-lord, to persuade him to retire to Manchuria, but these efforts failed. Consequently Japan has finally decided upon measures for the protection of Japanese nationals in North China. She has also decided to strengthen her military forces in Manchuria, at strategic points, in her determination to prevent a continuation of warfare north of the Great Wall. The official Japanese statement on her attitude in regard to Manchuria was presented simultaneously to the three anti-Northern leaders, the “Christian General” Feng Yu-hsiang, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and the Governor of Shansi, Yen Shi-hsian. inis declared Japan’s determination to preserve Manchuria from the ravages of war. It virtually asserted her determination to establish a protectorate in Manchuria, possibly immediately. Japan is evidently willing to permit cnang Tso-lm’s armies to withdraw into Manchuria if the troops are disciplined, but she will not permit the passage of a defeated and undisciplined rabble. It Is understood that Japan advised Chang to return to Manchuria immediately while his armies are still intact. This the dictator refused flatly to do. NO SPECIAL CLAIM JAPAN AND MANCHURIA AMERICA EYES POSITION (Australian Press Association) NEW YORK, Saturday. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says an atmos phere of uneasiness is evident in official circles to-day about the course taken by Japan in asserting her predominating influence in Manchuria, through her warning to the Southern and Northern factions in China to avoid spreading the unrest to Manchuria.

The Secretary of State, Mr. F. B. Kellogg, stated that the United States has never recognised any special claim by Japan to that region, and has always considered Manchuria to be Chinese territory, although she does not deny the legal ownership by Japan of the lease of the South Manchurian railway. Mr. Kellogg said the American Gov ernment has not taken up any position in regard to the assumption by Japan of power to exclude a Chinese Government from Manchuria. At present the United States is not called upon to do so. Japan did not consult the American Government about her action. However, Mr. Kellogg called attention to the nine-Powers Treaty to which Japan was a signatory, agreeing to respect the sovereignty of China and to provide the fullest possible opportunity for China to develop; also to establish equal commercial and industrial opportunities for all nations in China.