WAR IN CHINA

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20262, 3 August 1937, Page 7

WAR IN CHINA

JAPAN’S DETERMINATION. NOTIFICATION TO OONBULS. FEAR OF MAJOR HOSTILITIES, • United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. TIENTSIN, August 2. The Japanese have notified the Consuls that they intend to occupy the southern end of Tientsin, where numerous foreigners live, as they believe 1 hostile Chinese are sheltering there. Also the Japanese have announced ! that they Intend to bomb any area where anti-Japanese action occurs. General Katsukl, the' Japanese Com-mander-in-Chlef, stated to-day: ‘‘lt | depends upon the Nanking Government whether armed force will be used further throughout the whole of China. Troops’ movements northward , must cease.” ? A message from Nanking states , that the President, Marshall Chlang Kai-shek, is conferring with General Pal Ghun-chsi, one of the greatest Chinese strategists and a bitter opponent of Japan. The meeting is regarded as significant, as the parties are bitter personal enemies and have not met for several years. SHANGHAI. August 2. Fears of major hostilities have been Intensified owing to reports that the Chinese are planning a counter-offen-sive at Tientsin. Thousands of Chinese are fleeing from the area. A wholesale evacuation of Japanese residents from ports of Central China is also proceeding. i i A TENSE SITUATION. FRANCE AND JAPAN. 5 1 * '' ; CLASH BETWEEN TROOPS. l - “ WILL RESIST TO UTMOST.” I United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. TIENTSIN, August 2. A clash between French and Japanese troops occurred on Saturday which has caused a tense situation. The French troops arrayed for battle and backed by tanks are facing the Japanese across the international bridge between the respective concessions. French officials assert that the Japanese threatened to use force unless they allowed the Japanese troops to cross the bridge Into the French concession. The French replied: “ We will resist . to the utmost.” The French are also preparing to defend their barracks, which adjoin the Japanese aerodrome. The clash occurred when the French troops resisted an attempt by the Japanese to disarm them In contravention ' of the Boxer Treaty and of international rights. A JAPANEBE APOLOGY. ) TO THE FRENCH COMMANDER. PROMISE NOT TO INTERFERE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received August S, 11 a.m.) TIENTSIN, August 2. The Japanese apologised to the commander of the French garrison and promised not to interfere In the concession. i WAR ENTHUSIASM. THE FEELING IN TOKIO. FUNDS FOR ARMY AND NAVY. A RAILWAY DYNAMITED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, August 2. The Toklo correspondent of the Times states that war enthusiasm Is growing In the Japanese capital. Hundreds of women in front of a Buddhist temple are completing 1000 stitched girdles as talismans for the soldieps. Cheering youths are careering madly through the city in beflagged trucks. Sixteen hundred reactionary patriots prayed for victory at. the Me'ijl shrine. War fund collectors stand at eVery corner, and the Army and Navy already have largely benefited. A crop of war songs and films has appeared. The films are censored If they are too Jingoistic. Anti-profiteering legislation Is being prepared. The newspaper Chugal Shogyo says North China will cost less than Manchuria. News from China states that two Chinese corps co-operated with the Japanese in relieving Tungchow’. They received General Katsuki’s thanks and a sum of £I3OO. Chinese stragglers dynamited the Tientsin railway 20 times In four days, disappearing when pursued. WHITE RUSSIANS. RAID ON SOVIET CONSULATE. SEIZURE OF CORRESPONDENCE. United Tress Assn.—Eler. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 2. While Russians accompanied by Japanese are reported to have raided the Soviet Consulate at Tientsin and u> have seized correspondence.