The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-17
JAPAN DRAWS
:. DElDLINE TO
WARN China
'UItimatum Declares That
Advancing Armies Must
Avoid ManChuria.
READY TO SEND TROOPS
'AFOreign Forces Prepare too
Hold TientSin Against
LOoting HordeS.
READY TO SEND TROOPS
BYSMILES w. VAUGHN
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TOXIC, May 17.-Japan today
drew across the Chinese map a line
over which she is determined that
the Nationalists, on their drive
northward for supreme power, must
snot pass.
. The decision, the most important
In recent Chinese history, means
that while the Nationalists may VIII.
control of the rest of China if they
can, Manchuria must remain un-
touched.
The effect is that if the National
lists continue their present triumph
ant advance, and form a cent. /
Chinese government by taking
Pekin, Manchuria will remain a buf-
fer state between China, ~ Siberia
War in Mancbv- red
Japans dsoj.-M as announced
to the U rress in an exclusive
interview by the vice minister of
war.
Japan will not tolerate warfare
In Manchuria," he said. I'VE are
prepared to send any troops
necessary to preserve peace.
I'VE are allowed by treaty to
maintain $4,000 troops in Manchuria
to guard the South Manchuria rail-
way zone. This number will be in
creased by as many troops as are
necessary throughout Manchuria to
preserve peace"
The vice minister intimated that,
If necessary, Japanese contingents
might be stationed at-Shanhaikwan.
Coincident with this announce
1nent, Emperor Hirohito authorized
the immediate dispatch Of an in
fantry regiment, an artillery
battalion, and an air squadron to
Tientsin, which Nationalist troops
are approaching on their offensive
toward Pekin.
U. S. Admiral to Tientsin
Admiral Mark Bristol, commander
of the United States Asiatic Squad
ron, left Moji, Japan, today, aboard
the destroyer Pillsbury, for Tientsin.
Brig. Gen. Smedley Butler, COM
manding United States marines in
China, went to Tientsin earlier in
the week.
There the situation as regards
=, foreigners is tense. The $500 for
eign troops there are barricading
the foreign quarter with sandbags
and barbed wire, to defend it II
necessary against looting National
list troops.
The troops include 5000 American
marines, 1000 American infantry
men, 1900 British, 1000 French, 500
Japanese, and 400 Italians Add1-
tional Italian end japanese troops
are on the way there.
The Nationalists, with their eyes
set toward Pekin and consolidation
of power through China proper, are
expected to make every effort to
avoid trouble here with foreign
troops such as occurred with the
Japanese recently in TSlnan.
, Retreat Is Forecast
Reports are current here that
Gen. Chang Tso Lin, known for
wears as the Manchurian war lord,
would forsake his hold on Pekin and
the central government, in face of
lthe northward drive by the south
ern armies, headed by Gen. Chang
Kai Shek and Gen. Feng Yu Hsiang
The Manchurian general is re-
ported to have a great force en-
trenched just below Pekin and was
said in dispatches to be making
plans to defend his position.
1t was considered unlikely, how
ever, that he would be able to pre-
sent a strong defense, as his forces
Swere said to be demoralized and
;one more retreat would be in the
Mature of A. rOut.