TENSE SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 3 August 1937, Page 9

TENSE SITUATION

FRANCO-JAPANESE CLASH. TROUBLE IN TIENTSIN. TROOPS IN BATTLE ARRAY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) • TIENTSIN, Aug. 2.

A tense situation has been caused by a Franco-Japanese clash on Saturday. French troops tire arrayed for battle, backed by tanks, and are facing the Japanese across the international bridge between the respective concessions.

French officials declare that the Japanese threatened to use force unless their troops were allowed across the bridge into the French concession. The French replied-that they will resist to the utmost. The French are also preparing to defend their barracks adjoining the Japanese aerodrome. The clash occurred when the French resisted a Japanese attempt to disarm them in contravention of the Boxer Treaty international rights. White Russians, accompanied by Japanese, are reported in a Shanghai message to have raided the Soviet Consulate at Tientsin and to have seized correspondence. A message from Tientsin says the Japanese notified the Consuls that they intend to occupy the southern end of Tientsin, where numerous foreigners live, as they believe hostile Chinese are sheltering there. The Japanese also announced that they intend to bomb any area where an anti-Japanese action occurs.

Lieutenant-General Katsuki, the Japanese Commander-in-Chief ; to-day issued a statement declaring that it depends on the Nanking Government whether armed force is used further. Throughout the whole of China troops’ movements northward must cease.

The Chinese commander, General Chiang Kai-shek, is conferring with General Pal Chun-ehsi, one of the greatest of Chinese strategists and a bitter opponent of Japan, reports a Nanking message. The meeting is regarded as significant as the parties were hitter personal enemies and did not meet for several years. The Tokio correspondent of the Times states that two Chinese corps are cooperating with thq Japanese _ in relieving Tungchow. They received Lieutenant-General Katsuki’s thanks and £I3OO in money. Chinese stragglers dynamited the Tientsin railway twenty times in four days, disappearing when pursued. War enthusiasm is growing in Tokio. Hundreds of women in front of a Buddhist temple are completing “thousandstitch” girdles as talismans for the soldiers, while cheering youths are careering through the city on beflagged trucks. Sixteen hundred reactionary patriots prayed for victory before the Meiji shrine. War fund collectors stand on every corner, the army and navy having already largely benefited. A crop of war songs and films has appeared, the latter being censored if over-jingoistic. Anti-profiteering legislation is under preparation. The newspaper Chugai Sliogyo says North China will cost less than Manchuria.

Fears of major hostilities have been intensified in Shanghai owing to reports that the Chinese are planning a counter-offensive at Tientsin. Thousands of Chinese are fleeing from the area and the wholesale evacuation of Japanese residents from Central China ports is also proceeding. JAPAN APOLOGISES. NO INTERFERENCE WITH FRANCE. Received August 3. 9.55 a.m. TIENTSIN, Aug. 2. The Japanese have apologised to the commander of the French garrison and have promised not to interiere in the French concession.