Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-02-03

vailed throughout the city. IL was leII
on all sides that even If the ChlneSe
civil authorities accepted the japanese
demands there was serious danger OF
trouble owing to the notorious lack OF
discipline in the Chinese troops.
Finally, when the japanese demands
had been accepted, the japanese con
sui general and the commander OF the
naval forces expressed their deep Sats,
faction They were watching the loyal
execution on the part OF the ChineSe
of conditions agreed upon.
At the time. large crowds gathered
at the city hal. Alarming rumors
spread about. creating highly danger
Gus situation. The Chinese police force
at Chapel deserted its posts. In the
face of a threatening situation, the
municipal council declared martial law.
Self Defense Forced.
When our Marines proceeded to posts
which had been assigned to them IN
accordance with the agreement with
the foreign military commanders, the
Chinese suddenly opened hre. Our
troops therefore were forced to night IN
Self-defenSe.
Thus the armed clashes which nave
been taking place in Shanghai arose
purely out of aggression by the chi
nese and are in no way related 10 tne
acceptance Of our demands by the chi
neSe mayor.
By the Intervention of the British
and American ConsulS an agreement
was concluded for the cessation OF nos
tilities on January %. However. there
was a violation Of that agreement by
the Chinese, who, on the morning OF
the 30th, bombarded our forces Nu-
merous shells fell in the quarter inhab-
tied by the Japanese in the interior
concession.
Furthermore. the japanese authori-
ties learned that heavy concentration
of Chinese troops was taking place
near Shanghai and that the Chinese
were planning to open general Oh
fensive as soon as such concentration
had been effected.
The Chinese attitude, as manifested
in these recent incidents, Is clearly con-
trary to the pledges given by the Chi
nese representative on the Council OF
the League of Nations.
What Japan wants at present Is that
the Chinese forces should cease their
aggression against our troops and with
draw from the zones in which their
presence constitutes grave menace to
the general safety.
Japan harbors no intention but to
protect the lives and property OF the
Japanese people in those localities and
safeguard the interests legitimately &C
quired by them.
Throughout the present controversy
between Japan and China, Japan has
noted with deep appreciation the calm
and patience with which the American
press and people have regarded the
course of events in the Far East. 1t
is these two cardinal virtues which
alone can bring about satisfactory So
luton of the present conflict.
Japan is ready to consider. In SIN
cere spirit of compromise all the pos
sibilities for alienation of the present
unfortunate situation. She believes
that by mutual good will and cooper
alton on the part Of all the nations
concerned the grave difficulties which
threaten to disturb their peaceful re-
lationS in the Far East can be salts
factorily removed.
1t is my sincere hope that tho day
will not be far off when happy set
tlement can be arrived at between our
two countries.
iCopyright 1892 by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. me-