1937-07-20 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 20, 1937.

DEFENCE MANIFESTO Desire For Peace, But Not At Japanese Price WAR LIKELY TO BREAK OUT MEETING OF

WITHOUT DECLARATION

HOPES OF 11TH-HOUR to intensify the conflict, but did not

COMPROMISE HELD VERY REMOTE

Shanghai, To-day.

The rapid development of events in the past twelve hours has created an extremely gloomy at- mosphere throughout China, especially in commer- cial circles.

put that into action. Instead, ex- tensive reinforcements have been rushed to Hopei, a Chinese pro- vince, and these reinforcements are still going on.

Under these conditions the Chinese Government could find no alternative but to make adequate preparations for self-defence. On the other hand China never fails to leave open the way for peace.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs suggested when he received the Ja-

on

While the Oriental genius for last-minute com-panese attache, Mr. Nichitaka,

July 12, that both sides were to promise provides a glimmer of hope, prospects of a happy outcome are considered very slight.

War, if it comes, will be without declaration, in the fashion set by Japan in Manchuria in 1931.

It is expected the first Japanese objectives will be occupation of Peiping and Tientsin, but it is feared that hostilities will not be confined to North China.

Indeed, the Chinese are making preparations in other centres, and a number of Chinese troops con- centrated round Shanghai are digging trenches at Woosung.

stop troop movements and with-

draw to their original positions. It

is a very regrettable fact that Ja-

NANKING CABINET

Nankin

An emergency neet g of the Executive Yuan, is to be held this morning in Nanking.

ang Chung-hui, the Foreign Minister, will preside over the meeting the absence

Generalis

Chiang Kai-shék~~~*Our

Correspondent;

BRITAIN SEES IMMENSE DANGER

LONDON, TO-DAY.

pan has made no reply so far.

“WE KNOW THAT NEITHER Once again the Chinese Govern- THE JAPANESE NOR THE ment desires to make it plain to CHINESE GOVERNMENT Japan that she is still cherishing WISH TO RESORT TO THE “ARBITRAMENT and settling it peacefully. the hope of localising the incident DREADFUL”

OF WAR. JOINT WITHDRAWAL

"There is immense danger that The Chinese

Government again they may drift into war but it is suggests that

definite date the British Government's sincere be arranged on which both sides hope that an amicable › arrange- shall cease all-troop movements, ment will still be reached, and except that those armed forces that their services will always be avail- have been despatched are to be able to assist in any such settle- Both sides are anxious not to involve non-withdrawn to their original posi-ment. combatants. For example, General Sung Cheh-tions.

So stated the Under-Secretary....

Affairs, With regard to the Lukouchiao for Foreign yuan has assured the Japanese authorities that Incident, the Chinese Government Cranborne, replying for the Gov- civilians in Hopei and Chahar will be fully protect- desires that negotiations be carried ernment in the debate on foreign

out in ed. Reuter.

the immediate future affairs in the House of Commons through diplomatic channels, in yesterday. order to seek an appropriate set-

In regard to Anglo-American co- tlement of the matter. the operation, Lord Cranborne gave event of anything of local nature, the assurance that the Government it may be settled locally, provided intended to move along with the due approval by the Central Gov-

United States.

effort to

CHIANG'S STATEMENT:

"NOT PEACE AT ANY COST-”

Kuling, To day.

In

་

Viscount

He said: "We have been in touch with them and shall continue to

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek stated yesterday ernment is given.

China will spare no that his four points for settlement of the North maintain peace in East Asia, and keep in touch with them."Reuter. China dispute (no infringement of sovereign rights will gladly accept, after direct ne-

been carried out,

and territorial integrity, fixing of the status of the gotiations have

any peaceable proposals as provid- Hopei-Chahar Council by Nanking, no removal by ed by International Law, or Inter- outside pressure of local officials appointed by Nan-national Treaties, as regards inter- king, and no restriction on the positions now held by the 29th Route Army) were the minimum con- ditions possible as a basis for negotiation.

"We are anxious for peace," the Generalissimo declared, "but not peace at any cost.

"To seek peace once war has begun will only mean that the terms will be subjugation of the na- tion and complete annihilation of the race."

national complications.--Da-Dao.

SUNG CHEH-YUAN Authorises Statement On Attitude

DR. H. H. KUNG IN ENGLAND Still Hopeful Of Peace

London, To-day. The Chinese Minister of Finance,

Dr. H. H. Kung, arrived here from the United States yesterday, on board the "Normandie.”

Interviewed on the Sino-Japanese Peiping, July 19. clash in North China, Dr. Kung de- Upon his arrival here, General clared that it was still possible to. Sung Cheh-yuan received the Mayor settle the present incident in amic- CONTENDING THAT OBVIOUSLY LUKOUCHIAO WAS NOT of Peiping, General Chin Teh-chun, able fashion if sufficient patience A SUDDEN ACCIDENTAL DEVELOPMENT, MARSHAL and high officers of the 29th. Army. was exercised. CHIANG STATED: “WE MUST REALISE THAT THE OTHER They held conference for a

con- He hoped the Japanese Govern- SIDE HAS A VERY DEFINITE PURPOSE TOWARDS US, AND siderable time.

ment would recognise the danger of PEACE IS NOT TO BE EASILY SECURED.

Colonel Chen Chi-yeng, Director of any other course of action.—Trans- “IF WE ALLOW LUKQUCHIAO TO BE FORCIBLY OCCU-Police, who acted as General Sung Ocean. PIED, THE RESULT WILL BE THAT OUR ANCIENT CAPITAL Cheb-yuan's spokesman,

expressed WILL BE LOST AND PEIPING WILL BECOME A SECOND MUK-Gen. Sung's regret for not being able

* INCIDENT DEN AND HOPEI AND CHAHAR WILL SHARE THE FATE OF to receive the Press personally.

Gen-

Peiping, To-day. THE FOUR NORTH-EASTERN PROVINCES.

eral Sung desired him to convey to Suspicious acts led to the dia "WE ARE NOT MAKING WAR. WE ARE MEETING AT the world that he (Gen. Sungs had

overy of Japanese plain clothes men TACKS ON OUR EXISTENCE.” REUTER..

not in the least changed his attitude who were trying to create distur- He would not agree to anything, de bances in the western suburbs of Pei- handed an official memorandum to trimental to his fellow.countrymen, ping when going along a highway, the Japanese Embassy at 2.30 p.m. his nation, and the instructions of at Hungshankow. yesterday.

OUTLINE OF CHINA

MEMORANDUM

Still Desirous Of Peace

ALLEGED PEIPING

com-

the Central Government in his The Chinese military authorities The memorandum reiterates the efforts to effect a settlement of the despatched soldiers to the spot. They Chinese Government ́s firm desire Lukouchiao Incident. Col. Chen encountered each other north to localise the Lukouchiao Incident reiterated Gen. Sung's views as set of the Chinghua University and to effect a peaceful settlement, forth in his communique issued at pounds, and an exchange of volleys declaring that the Chinese Govern-Tientsin that: "For the two great ensued for well over an hour. The Nanking, To-dav. ment, is in no way provocative.✨nations in East Asia, there is peace Japanese were finally dispersed. Mr. Tung Tao-ning, representing The Japanese Government had only with equality; no equality, no Casualties on both sides have not the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, also announced her intention not peace.' -Da-Dao.

been ascertained.-Da-Dao.