Evening star., 1932-02-04
NEW PROTEST SENT
by j. S. AND BRITAIN |
Use of International Zone
in Shanghai Subject
of Joint Note.
Continued From First Page)

| the United States, Great Britain and
Italy, agreed to cease hostile acts there
| If Japan Is assured the Chinese will
Immediately and completely cease
their disturbing activities"
The japanese reply, however, took
| exception to the fifth proposal of the
Western powers. The statement said
| the Japanese government regards the
Manchurian question as entirely sepa-
rate from the Shanghai affair, and
added "it is a settled policy Of the jap
anese government not to accept assist
ance of neutral observers or partici-
pants in the settlement of questions
pertaining to Manchuria. For this rea-
son the condition embodied in para
graph five of the powers note is not
acceptable to the japanese government
The reply, which was presented by
Foreign Minister Kenkichi YoshizaWa
after it had been approved by the cab
| met and Emperor Hirohito, added
however, that if the Chinese regulars
or uniformed forces persisted in
their activities Japan would be COM
PEELED to reserve full freedom Of action.
Plans to Send Army Troops.
A few minutes before the note was
made public it was learned that the
government decided definitely to send a
full division of army troops to Shang-
hal to take the place of the bluejack-
cts, who have been bearing the brunt Of
the fighting since last Friday.
In view of the undesirable menace
of the Chinese in the past and the
gravity OF the present situation the
reply added, the government finds it
ln0ccih1p n mobilization
preparations for hostilities entirely. The
government has no objection to enter
ing into negotiations concerning the
separation of Chinese and Japanese
forces and the establishment Of neu-
tral zone in the Chapel district If nee
essary."
The note was handed to Ambassador
w. Cameron Forbes Of the United
States Ambassador Sir Francis Lindley
Of Great Britain and Ambassador Gio-
vanni Maioni Of Italy.
The Ambassadors we're called to the
foreign Office at pm. and the reply
was handed to them short time later.
Alexander Troyanovsky. Soviet Am
bassador to Japan, also called upon For
eign Minister Yoshizawa today and 1t
was understood he discussed attempts of
the japanese military authorities in
MdDCHuIld 10 uSe LIle WeSIeIu pOL tiUl VI
the Chinese Eastern Railway line for
the purpose of moving troops from
Tsitshar to Harbin.
The Ru"sian Ambassador pointed out,
It was understood that Russia condi-
tionally agreed to the use Of the rail-
way by the japanese for military pur-
poses only on the Changchun- -Harbin
Branch. A further agreement should
have been secured, he said, before using
the main line.
The meeting was entirely friendly,
1t was understood, and M. Troyanov-
skys representations were In no way
considered as a protest. He acted. 1t
was said, without specific instructions
from Moscow.
A belief prevailed in some quarters
that the Soviet envoy also broached
again the subject Of Russo japanese
non aggression pact.
japanese Guard Line.
The foreign Office published state
ment from the headquarters of Gen.
HOMO, japanese Manchurian COM
mander at Mukden, declaring japanese
railway guards are temporarily policing
the southern branch of the Chinese
Eastern only because this line was en-
tireIy deserted by its Chinese guards"
This is only temporary measure"
the statement said, and 1t goes with
out saying that the Japanese army has
not the slightest intention Of infringing
on the rights of the railway"
A copy of the statement was sent to
Japan's ENJOYS at the League of Ma
tions and to the principal foreign capt.
tails. 1t declared also that the japanese
advance on Harbin, Manchuria, is for
the sole purpose of protecting japanese
nationals there.
Gen. Honjo's headquarters said five
japanese were killed and Al wounded
in q severe clash yesterday IS miles
south of Harbin in the course of Gen.
Jiro lannon's advance A Japanese de-
tachment first encountered 200 Chinese
troops 18 miles south Of the city, the
statement said, and pursued them
northward encountering 1000 more,
after which severe fighting followed.
The Chinese losses were said to have
been heavy.
Gen. lannon's occupation OF Hardin
was postponed for day today because
of a persistent defense of the city by
Gen. Ting Chaos troops, who also
skirmished with japanese patrols on
the southern outskirts. Gen. Tamon
was awaiting reinforcements and am
munition before attempting a final ad-
vance, which was expected tomorrow
He planned to use airplanes against the
Chinese if necessary.