ACTION IN CHINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1939, Page 8

ACTION IN CHINA

BRITISH ULTIMATUM SENT TO JAPAN EVACUATION OF KULANGSU DEMANDED. THREAT _O LAND FORCES. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, May 17. It is reported from Shanghai that Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Noble, Commander-in-Chief of the China Squadron, has sent an ultimatum to the Japanese to evacuate Kulangsu in 48 hours. Otherwise he would land a large force. The British Admiralty, however, states that there was no question of an ultimatum, and that more probably Admiral Noble told the Japanese that unless tneir troops were with.drawn, he ivculd be obliged to land forces from H.M.S. Birmingham to protect British citizens in the Concession.

Hong Kong reports that part of the Japanese landing party are reported to have withdrawn from Kulangsu. The municipality has rejected the Japanese demands for increased control on the municipal council, except increased Japanese control in policing the. settlement. AMERICAN MARINES LANDED FROM CRUISER REPORT AS TO BRITISH ACTION UNCONFIRMED. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, May 17. Forty-three armed Marines from the Upited States qryiser Marblehead have landed on Kulangsu Island. An unconfirmed report says a British party also' landed on Kulangsu.