JAPAN IN CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 206, 31 July 1937, Page 9

JAPAN IN CONTROL

PEKIN AND TIENTSIN. . MOPPING UP THE CITIES. AUTONOMY MAY COME. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, July 30. Chinese troops at Tientsin are reported to have attacked the Japanese concession, an artillery duel lasting some hours. A statement has been issued that, in consequence of previous attacks, the Japanese forces had no choice hut to bomb Tientsin in self-defence. The casualties in the actual fighting are estimated to be 309 Japanese and 1200 Chinese.

A Pekin message says that the Japanese are completely in control of Pekin and Tientsin and are at present mopping up the outskirts. A joint message from British newspaper correspondents at Pekin confirms the withdrawal of the defeated Chinese Twenty-ninth Army to Changsintien and the displacement of the Chinese Administration by a emergency government. The message adds: “The Japanese army encircles Pekin, but it is stated that it does not intend to enter the city, which is quiet except for Japanese gunfire preventing Chinese concentration on Changsintien. At Tokio, the Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Tatsuo Kawai) stated that in consequence of the Japanese army having established control in the PekinTientsin region the Chinese inhabitants were likely to organise, themselves into local peace preservation bodies having contact with the Japanese and which the Japanese were ready to aid". “In due course,” added Mr Kawai, “such organisations may well develop into an autonomous administration.” ARMISTICE DESIRED. EVACUATION OF FOREIGNERS. NEW YORK, July 29. The New York Times Washington correspondent states that it is reliably reported that America and other foreign Governments are endeavouring to negotiate an armistice for four or five days in North China to facilitate the evacuation of foreigners. It is felt that the fighting is too intense to depend on the Japanese assurances that cities with foreign quarters will not be Bombarded. Senator Key Pittman, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, defending America’s refusal to invoke the Neutrality Act, pointed out that it would probably be used by Japan as a pretext for blockading all Chinese ports without the formality of declaring war.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS. HOW DISPUTE AROSE. GROWING HOSTILITY. Events, day by day, leading up to the present situation in the Far East are summarised as follow: July 8. —A Japanese report stated that a battalion of General Sun Cheliyuan’s army clashed at midnight with a battalion of Japanese troops carrying out night manoeuvres. The Chinese explained that the trouble arose through their mistaking the Japanese for bandits, who had been recently terrorising Lung Wang-maio. The clash occurred at Fengtai, 20 miles from Pekin. A Tientsin message later stated that the Chinese had refused to withdraw from the banks of the Yungting River across which they faced the Japanese, who were demonstrating with tanks and infantry. July 9. —A further minor clash preceded the withdrawal of troops and the Chines© Foreign Office protested to Tokio in regard to “Japan’s provocative activities.” The Japanese Ambassador hastened to Nanking in an endeavour to effect a settlement.

July 11. —The Japanese Cabinet decided to dispatch additional forces to North China failing a Chinese apology and the cessation of anti-Japanese activities. Meanwhile, the Central Government at Nanking decided to throw its full weight against Jap.au if necessary. July 12. —An official communication from the Japanese War Office described the lytuation as ugly, and it was being aggravated .“by Chinese bad faith.” Japanese reinforcements would continue to be sent to North China a 6 Chinese promises could not be trusted. Chinese officials described the situation as a premeditated attempt on the part of Japan to reduce the region of a second Manchuria, which would be resisted at all costs.

July 13. —There had been further clashes near Pekin and shells had burst over the city. Truce negotiations were proceeding, but while both sides were willing to withdraw, “each refuses to be the first.” Hopes of averting a serious clash were dwindling-. From Tokio came a statement that Japan would “take extreme measures in the event of further provocation.” July 14. —Tension temporarily related'due to the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Wangping to Fengtai. Both sides, however, continued to demand apologies. July 15. —Japan was sending more troops to North China. Pekin reported that Japan had demanded the independence of Hopei and Chahar. July 16. —China appealed to the signatories of the Nine Power Pact (except Japan) for assistance to prevent the “invasion by Japan.” July 18.—It was reported from Pekin that the Japanese were demanding the fusion of North Hopei, East Hopei a.nd Chahar into an independent State, with Tientsin as the capital. Further Japanese demands were the conversion of Tangku into a .Japanese naval base., the demilitarisation of the IVkin area, including Lukou-c-hiao, and a. demand that Japanese troops should garrison Pekin city. July 19. —A Tokio message said that the negotiations between China and Japan had been broken off because the Chinese troops entrenching at Lioukouchiao fired on the Japanese' advance guards. A Nanking message stated that the Japanese Military Attache had delivered to the Chinese War Office a final warning to withdraw the Chinese troops. July 20. —Japanese headquarters announced an agreement with General Chang-Tze-Chung subject to Nanking’s approval, but adequate measures were being taken due to China’s insincerity. July 21. —Chinese troops had been withdrawn a third of a mile and the situation seemed a little easier. The British Emergency Corps at Teintsin had been ordered to “stand by.” July 22.—Tbe situation had eased further and a truce was pending. July 25. —The situation had taken a turn for the worse. Reports from Peiping indicated that the Chinese were still delaying their promised withdrawal of troops. . July 26.—The Japanese occupied Langfang and the Chinese were retrea.ting toward Huansun. After fighting in the Wangping area, west ot

Pekin, strong forces of Japanese, marching through the Changyimen Gate, entered Pekin after resistance and were controlling the street inside 300 yards from the gate. July 27. —Reports from Tientsin stated that Japanese troops assisted by military ’planes had almost wiped oiit a force of 800 Chinese at Tungcho\v. who resisted an attempt to disarm them. A Japanese ultimatum, de J manding the withdrawal of the 3/th Division from Pekin had expired. July 28. —Fighting broke out seriously and there were conflicting reports as to the result. Hopes of peace had fled. July 29. —Tientsin bombed by Japanese.