CITY AN ARMED CAMP

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 7

CITY AN ARMED CAMP

SERIOUS POSItION AT SHANGHAI. JAPANESE DEMANDS ACCEPTED. LATEST TURN OF EVENTS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 28. : Tension was considerably relaxed today following an intimation from the Mayor, Mr Wu, • that the Chinese authorities would agree to the Japanese demands. The Consul-General, Mr Miurn, last night delivered an ultimatum to the Mayor insisting on a definite reply to the Japanese claims before six o’clock to-night. Just before midnight the Mayor issued an order suppressing the anti-Japanese organisations, and intimating that he would give a definite reply to the • demands to-day.

The reply by the Chinese Mayor of Greater Shanghai to the ultimatum was delivered at the Japanese Consulate at 2 p.m. He accepts the'Japanese demands in full. It is reported that one of the demands insists, that all Chinese troops be withdrawn 15 miles from Shanghai. Rear-Admiral Shiosawa, commanding the Japanese Fleet, subsequently moored a gunboat alongside the Consular wall abutting the Whang-poo River, placing a landing party within the grounds: * ' . ' The Japanese Command has f 9llll ally notified Brigadier-General Fleming, in command of the British Section of the Shanghai force, that it is intended to take action with the object of occupying areas outride the Foreign Settlement from 7 a.m. to-morrow. The Shanghai Municipal Council declared a state of emergency at 4 p,m. to-day. The Shanghai Volunteers have, been mobilised, and foreign military and naval forces have restricted leave.

TANKS AND ARMOURED CARS.

PATROLLING SHANGHAI. HEAVY CHINESE CASUALTIES. Received January 29, 11.5 a.m. SHANGHAI. Jan. 28. The city to-night is an armed camp. Tanks, armoured cars and artillery are now moving rapidly around the city, taking up positions planned by the International Defence Committee. Thousands of Chinese are pouring into the settlement from surrounding areas. The authorities have not enforced the ourfew hour, but it is expected momentarily. An additional Japanese cruiser and twelve destroyers reached here to-day, and an additional 600 marines have been landed. The first Japanese aeroplane appeared over the city this afternoon. . ' There was heavy fighting at Chapei. The Chinese casualties are uncertain, but they are stated to be.heavy. Already over 100 Chinese prisoners have been brought from the fighting’ -zone. Several fires have been started. Following a short engagement, Japanese naval vessels captured the Woosung forts at the entrance to the Whangpoo River, twelve miles from Shalnghai. Heavy gunfire, is heard, in the.settlement. .. . ■ , - - POWERS’ ATTITUDE. ‘ BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES. Received January 29 10.45 a.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. The State Department is still waitirig for the British reply to inquiries as to how far London is prepared to go in joint Anglo-American action. The British countered with a query as to how far the United States would go, but Washington simply replied that it was open to suggestions from, London. Pending a definite reply from Britain, officials kept silent on the general situation to-day, though they plainly considered it to be alarming. MOUNTING APPREHENSION. Received January 29, 11 a.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. While the United States Government is watching the strife in Shanghai with mounting apprehension, there were indications late to-day that it would refrain from acting by itself to alter the Japanese course of action. BRITAIN CONSIDERING. LONDON, Jan. 28. The Government is considering the Washington communication concerning the Shanghai situation, which, it is understood, suggests joint diplomatic action in the crisis. It is regarded in official circles ns unlikely that Britain will take the same view as the United States, which, it is understood, fears a Japanese blockade of the Chinese coast, involving complications in the Shanghai International Settlement, in which America identifies her interests with those of Britain. America wonders whether this justifies co-operation, and desires a frank statement on that point. HARBIN IN STATE OF SIEGE. MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED. *~TOKIO, Jan. 28. Harbin is in a state of siege. Communications have been cut off, and martial law proclaimed. regulars from the Kirin province are fighting the Chinese Railway guards. Japanese tanks and troops have been dispatched from Chang-chun for the protection of 7000 subjects resident in Harbin.

BOMB THROWN

SENSATION CAUSED. SHANGHAI, Jan. 28. . A sensation was caused this morning >vhen. a. bomb exploded against the wall of the Jananeso Consulate. There was muon noise, but little damage, The Btroet is being patrolled by foreign . and Japanese police. , ' , ' , No one the thrower and tho incident. therefore, i» regarded with suspicion, as possibly being designed to create an impression among the irresponsible . Japanese elements, ZERO HOUR.

FEELING IN WASHINGTON.

V. NEW YORK, Jan. 27, . The New York Times’s Washington correspondent, states i “There is tense feeling here as zero hour approaches for Japanese action in Shanghai, No American move has been made as far as has been disclosed, but the Government la prepared to defend American rights, : “The British reply to Mr H, L. Stimson, who Is suggesting possible joint action in the event Of an emer-

genoy in Shanghai, has not yet been received, t _ “Talk of a possible economic boycott is being heard, and this was given point by President Hoovers action in sending the Manchurian correspondence to the Senate, ostensibly in ah effort to align public opinion on the situation.”