Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-29
BY SMITH REAVIS,


Associated Press Foreign news EoltoF'
The scene of battle between Chinese
and Japanese troops in Manchur1a
shifted during the week from the north
to the south and the walled southern
city Of Chinchow replaced the northern
capital of Tsitsihar as the focal point
of anxiety for those seeking to halt
the conflict.
In Washington the situation created
, by japanese threat against the city was
viewed with the most profound con-
Germ and Secretary of State StimSon re-
vealed that on Monday last he had
warned Japan of the danger OF nlarch
| on Chinchow. On Tuesday japan re-
piled that no such move was in pros
| pect.
AS days wore on and signs pointed to
violation of that promise the anxiety
I of the American Government increased.
Another American protest was forecast
and the possibility Of withdrawal OF
American diplomatic representation at
Toxic was suggested.
Disorders I'm Tientsin Renewed.
Toward the end of the week new dis
orders flared out in Tientsin and the
danger that troops of other nations
might be involved became more acute.
Reports to Mukden yesterday indicated
that Europeans and possibly Ameri-
cans had been killed in the two-day
fighting between japanese troops ana
Chinese irregulars.
In Paris the Council of the League OF
Nations worked tirelesSly to evolve
new formula of peace which, WnHn
finally drafted, was accorded, even by
Council drafted, was accorded, even by
success.
Chinchow. on the main line of the
Peiping- Mukden Railway and temporary
capital of the Manchurian province Of
Fengtien, was admittedly the point
where a spark might set on the eX-
plosion Of real war between Japan and
China.
In it and in the surrounding district
of Shankaiwan, stretching southwark to
the Great Wall that separates China
proper from Manchuria, were concen-
trated thousands of the troops OF Gen.
Chang Hsueh-Liang, deposed Manchu-
rian war lord.
Advance on ChinchOw Halted.
Forty miles to the northward at
Yagkuantaitze were the soldiers OF the
Japanese commander, Gen. Shigeru
HOMO. who sent them southwark from
Mukden yesterday with the avowed pur-
pose of clearing the Peiping-
Railway as far as the Great Wall.
Toxic announced that the advance
had been halted last night and assured
both the League of Nations Council and
the American Government that no
offensive against Chinchow was planned.
From Mukden however. came alarming
reports that the Japanese Planned to
take Chinchow, last stronghold OF Man
churia to remain in Chinese hands.
Trouble in the south began early in
the week. Clashes between Japanese
and Chinese troops north OF Ghinchow
were reported Tuesday when Skirmlsh
at HSinmintun resulted in the rcut OF
the Chinese defenders and the capture
of the city by the japanese. Hsmmin-
tun is about 40 miles southwest OF
Mukden.
At the same time Gen. Honjo's SOL
dierS began a general operation against
irregulars and bandits, which the
Nipponese declared infested the country
near Mukden and menaced japanese
lines Of communication.
On Thursday heavy fighting occurred
within 10 miles Of Mukden itself. The
Japanese general announced that BAN
dts had attacked his outpostS.
Neutral Zone Plan Advanced.
The League Council, sensing the Sc
.rious turn that the Chinchow move
ment was taking, urged both China and
japan to refrain from hostilities in that
section. China offered to establish a
neutral zone stretching from the Great
Wall to Chinch0w and Toxic accepted
with the reservation that if japanese
troops we're endangered in China proper
forces might be moved through the
neutral area to their support.
The League deadlock continued. On
Monday subcommittee began drafting
new resolution providing for the ces-
sation of hostilities and investigation
by a neutral commission. When it was
finally completed and submitted to the
IL neutral members of the Council yes
terday they withheld acceptance pend
ing Chinese approval of its provisions
DR. Alfred SEE, the Chinese delegate
still held cut for evacuation Of Japa-