Evening star., 1932-02-01

gradually has come to be getting as
much close study as that at Shanghai
Navy dispatches described the japanese
naval force at the former capital as
consisting Of three cruisers and four
deStroyers. Their armaments and man
power we're not known.
The Chinese have two deStroyers. six
gunboatS and four torpedo boats an
Chored in the Yangtze near that city.
Also nearby are two British ships, a
fleet Sloop and gunboat.
Wants Public Kept Advised.
With official advices pointing to
spread of the Shanghai conhagration
to Nanking and Swatow, Senator
Thomas Democrat, Oklahoma pro-
posed a resolution requesting the
Foreign Relations Committee ito advise
the Senate and the country, from time
to time, upon the developments in the
Far East. wherein American citizens,
their safety and rights are involved"
A tense situation at SWatoW has
arisen. American Consul Leonard N.
Green reported as a result OF pub
lication by Chinese newspaper OF what
japanese there term an Insult to the
Emperor. 1t was reported the japanese
consul demanded an apology o. the
Chinese mayor and the closing of the
paper "or the japanese would take
such steps as they considered eXpe-
dent" Five thousand Chinese troops
Immediately took up positions in the
city.
u. S. Destroyer Headed There.
The Chinese mayor and Gen. Chang,
10 iN1,ro advised
the American consul they expected
every precaution would be taken TO
avoid injury to Americans and their
property. An American destroyer al
ready is headed there to act in any
emergency.
Americans in the SwatoW consular
area number 81 Most are missionaries
in the outlying districts.
There are at least Is Americans In
the city, including the consul.
Because of its proximity to FormoSa,
SwatoW has always been a seat OF trou-
bleS between the japanese and Chinese.
Many japanese have migrated from
FormoSa to SwatoW, and there are fre-
quent minor clashes between them
VIII Cooperate With League.
Precaution was taken today to give
I
latitude to preclude any delays Of i'm
portant action that might be necesS1-
tated by communication with wash
! iLgton.
Intent more than all else on protect
ing Americans at Shanghai or wherever
threatened in China, the United States
declined to participate as member In
the League of Nations Neutral Com
mission for investigation of the chaotic
situation at Shanghai
This Government agreed, however to
instruct a consular representative at
Shanghai to cooperate with the in
quiry.
The position was explained at the
State Department to be due to the fact
that the commission would be. sitting
under article Is Of the League cove
nant. and since the United States is not
member of the League. the American
Government could not sit as a member
Of the commission.
Infantrymen Leaving Tomorrow.
Admiral Taylor. aboard his flagship,
radioed to the Navy the news Of his de-
parture and that of the six additional
deStroyerS from Manila. He expects to
arrive at Shanghai at 2 am. Wednesday,
Eastern standard time, and the destroy
ers at am Thursday, Eastern standard
time. The Houston carries 331 Marines.
The~Navy transport Chaumont. carrying
1000 infantrymen and 10 additional
Marines, is expected to leave tomorrow.
Forces under Taylor have been cau-