Evening star., 1931-12-24
JAPAN IS WARNED
| BY THREE NATIONS
Great Britain, France and
U. S. Protest Activities in
ChinchoW Region.
Continued From First Page.)

tContlnued from First Page)
their anti-bandit missions, have started
returning to their original stations along
the South Manchuria Railway.
Last nights communique was silent
regarding operations in the southwest,
which were regarded as a military Sc
cret, but 1t was understood the troops
were progressing over snow covered
plains, bound for the Lao River.
The river has been frozen over for
some time, and it was believed the
troops would cross for the purpose Of
crushing the guerrilla concentrations on
the other side
The headquarters statement revealed
that in fighting Tuesday morning 10
miles south OF Fakumen the Japanese
losses were 3 dead and wounded, while
100 Japanese were killed.
Guerrillas Retreat Quickly.
A japanese armored train encoun-
tered 300 Chinese guerrillas 25 miles
northwest Of Anti g, and the guerrillas
fled after a brief conflict, leaving 5
dead and several wounded.
The headquarters announcement con-
cerning bandit suppression" in the
district west of the Lao was couched in
strong terms. 1t declared that in that
district there were 100000 troops, in
cluding Chinese regulars-which means
the ChinchoW army.
1t was Informally explained that the
Japanese commander in this area has
been given full discretion about how far
to pursue undesirable forces" and that
the ChinchoW army need not be In
volved unless 1t interfereS with anti
bandit operations.
1t was made clear the Japanese would
not hesitate to use their utmost force
against the Chinese regulars if the lat
ter attempted to aid or shield guerrillas.
Irregulars Gain Strength.
Chinese irregulars and bandits. who
have long been active in South Man.
churia, have been increasing in num-
berS and strength daily, those west Of
the Lao River being much more numer-
Gus than those to the east" the COM
munique said
Furthermore, their organization and
coordination are gradually being i'm
proved.
The Imperial japanese Army late
in November advanced west from Hsln-
nlintun but later halted that expedi-
ton, expecting thereby to promote
peaceful settlement Of the banditry
problem.
"Contrarily, these Chinese forces, in
cluding volunteer corps, guerrlllas. the
so-called Public Safety Corps, regular
troops ard genuine bandits. reached a
total of 100000 armed men infestlng
the district west Of the Lao.
Must Meet Threat.
Gradually they have been moving
eastward for the purpose OF breaking
the japanese line Of communications,
which al present is everywhere ex-
posed to this menace.
The japanese Army maintained the
utmost patience IN the face OF this
threat, but if we permit these forces
peace and order in South Manchuria
Will be utterly and fundamentally over
thrown.
The Imperial japanese Army there
fore has decided to take action to
eliminate all such undesirable forces
from the entire district west OF the
Lao River"
Lieut. Gen. Jiro Tamon. conqueror
of Tsitsihar. was in command Of the
% Division on the southwest mis-
sion and was directing detachments
sant northwest from Lao Chung, west
from Liaoyang, and north from New
chWang.
Not Aimed at Regulars.
Japanese headquarters said the op-
erations were aimed solely at irregular
elements. not at Chinese regular forces
in Chinchow or other points on the
Peiping-Mukden Railway
Bandit activities along the Mukden-
Antung branch Of the South Man.
churia Railway, as well as IN the Chin
wangtao-Shanhaikwa area, increased
with the departure of japanese troops
TO the territory west Of the trunk line.
Hence, two japanese destroyers were
transferred from Port Arthur to Chin
wangtao as matter of precaution.
One Japanese soldier was missing to.
day and seven were injured as a result
Of fire which destroyed all the bar
racks of the japanese garrison at
Chuliuho last night. Chuliuho is 81
miles west of Mukoen.
Fire Caused Explosion.
The fire caused an explosion in the
nunition sheds connected with the bar
RACKS and the injuries were the result
of this blast
The fire destroyed all food and cloth.
ing stores Of the whole battalion. which
has been occupying the temporary
wooden buildings since shortly after
the occupation Of Mukden.
japanese troops occupied Tienchuang-
tai Yesterday, according to a telegram
reaching here, after clash between
Chinese and Japanese armored trains,
I1enchuangtai is IL miles northwest
of YingkoW.
japanese aviators reported the Ying-
kow-kaopangtze Railway destroyed in
five places. presumably to prevent
japanese advance on Kaopangtze.