The Seiyuhonto is expreted to hold meeting of its leaders to-morrow connexion with the present situ; tion in China. At this meeting, it is understood, @ discussion will be made As to what policy the party hould adopt towards the state of affairs in that country, though a final decision is to be reached. upon the return here of Mr. T. Tokonami, the President of the party, and their reply will be given to-the pro recently made by the Seiyukai for an alliance to be established between the two non-Government-parties in forming x policy concerning - the situation in China, Tt is learnt on ood authority that the majority of the leaders of the Seiyuhonto are of the following opinion:—
In view of the situation in Manchuria the War Office announces its immediate intention to bring the garrison up to full strength by sending 1,000 troops from Korea, following them with 2,600 from Kurume. When the latter arrive the original 1,000 will return.to Korea, The commander of the Kuantung garrison has again notified the warring generals that no fighting will be allowed within gun-range of the railway or near Japanese zone interests.
Foreign Office advices from Mukden indicate that General Kuo Sung-ling's terms to Marshal Chang Tso-lin are for immediate acceptance.
The envoy from General Kuo Sung-ling who visited Raron Shidebera yesterday. requested, among other things, that Japan continue her strict neutrality whatever happens. This Japan is willing to do provided there is no fighting within the railway zone, Though pressing the Government to reinforce the xarrison, it seems more than probable that the Seiyukai would adopt Viscount Kato's present policy, if in powe themselves.
It is understood that the Government considers the reported increase of Soviet troops on the Chinese frontier exists only in the imagination of the Chauvinists, who are trying to force the Government to reinforce the Japanese garrison.
Kokusai reports from Mukden state that with a view to maintaining a policy of strict neutrality, the South Manchuria Railway has refused to transport General Kuo Sung-ling's troops from Newchwang. It is reported that the company's policy is to refuse to transport oldiers of either army unless they are first disarmed, Later.
Official advices from Mukden state that Marshal Chang Tso-lin's troops are retreating from Hsinminfu. and from Mukden, looting. The foreign residents are panic-stricken.
It is understood that the War Office is planning hurried reinforcement of the garrisons in Manchuria if the situation becomes more serious, but that the troops will not total more than the normal number, which is at present much decreased—Reuter's Pacific Service.
Fengtien in Retreat Strength of Opposing Forces of the provinces under his charge. He was particularly concerned with 'Administrative improvement. which would eliminate duplication" and make the services more efficient, Marshal Sun did not believe that early. peace was possible for China. 'Should a patched-up peace be reached now, it would only' lead. to more trouble latter on, Tt will take from two to five years before anything @ permanent peace can be achieved, "My relations with Marshal Feng Vu-hsiang," he said, "are not antagonistic, 'Our future relations depend entirely upon whether he is communistic or not, If he is not communistic, there' is no. reason why we should not be friends. I he is communistic, we shall not be able to work together When Marshal Sun's attention Yas called to the fact that Feng Vu-hsiang has issued a statement Against communism, he replied that that indicated the "Christian" gens Jeral's sincerity, With regard to his own programme of reform, Marshal Sun Suggested that he favoured more vention and communications and 8 greater discipline in. the army. In his own army, he said, he main. tained the strictest. discipline.
Escorted by a troop of his. own cavalry, Marshal Sun drove through the International Settlement to his nee at Nanyang a " where he will re~ main until he leaves for Nantunge chow to-day or to-morrow, where he will be the guest of Mr. Chang. Chien, the industrial magnate.
Marshal Sun's plan to visit important city of Kisngsu, principal 'Mukden, Des. 14, this' afternoon. According. to his Diplomatic questions should by no The strengths of the Fengtien adjutant, "some "4,880 "infant means be made matters for political General Kuo Sungling's cavalry armies and that of the Gen. Kuo familiar with the problems facing. soldiers and cavalryman of Heilungcontest. The non-interference which had pressed on from the 'Sung-ling's armies who are.on the them. All these visits will not. be in China' ig troops are expected to arrive domestic affairs being the district of Peichipu, clashed—with eve of a decisive battle are fade immediately, but from time between the 15th and the 17th traditional fixed policy of the pre-'Marshal Chang's vanguard this Kuo Sung-ling's armic to time from his capital, Nanking. instant. sent Cabinet, there can be no reason morning in the sector of Hsinmin, forces, 40,000 men with 200 arti A dinner was given to Marshal why this policy should be altered at} with the result that the latter are Pieces, with reserve force night by Mr. Hsu Yuan, British and Japanese Warning the present juncture. Japan, there-gradually retreating. men with 40 artillery Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, Later. fore, should ins and. watch fe. pertreet secters suspected Yo alte ces ete wih 100 orth sin met at ne General Kuo's troops in the above fe Fengtien annie: of Foreign Affairs, at which the Con: General Kuo Sung-ling's troops, which have advanced to a point in the situation now prevailing fu Which are arriving at the scene of News Agency. ilex Body was present. A recep. tion in his honour will be given front of the position of Marshal China Ther is to reason whatever Date, one after another, are now] why Ins Chang Tso-lin should] Pressing hard after the retreating] ~young Changs" Dramatic this afternoon at the Chinese Gen-Chang's troops on the left bank of the Liao River, captured Takushan be supp Marshal Chang's troops, It is re-Declaration eral Chamber of Commerce which will be attended prominent and Peichipu at 3 o'clock yesterday The Seiyuhonto cannot agree tol ably reported that approximately Mukden, Dec. 8. Chinese residents of Shan; afternoon, and are now pressing any measures which go beyond the one brigade'of General Kuo's troops hard apparently a view to Protection of Japan's interests as are stationed in the district of] "I will fight to the last. I an ithe cause of all the trouble, and THE China News Agency learns attacking the left position of Ins well as the lives and property of must fight to eave my face." In that Marshal Sun Chuen-fang: hes shal Chang's troops from the dis-Japanese residing in Manchuria and Upon receipt of news that Gen-these words General Chang Hsueh: appointed Gen, Bel "Bee-sane "en trict of Panshay Mongolia—Eastern News Agency. eral Kuo Sung-ling's troops arrived declared his intention to make Gen. Chen Tiao-Yuan to be the General Kuo appears, will shortly start general attack upon Newchwang, the Japanese garrisons, Hopei on the opposite shore from stand at Hsinmuntur. They were Jeddresred to the Japanese Consul, KianpeesereseChlet of @ the jangsu and Anhui marshal Chang's troops upon the at Tashichigo and Wafengtien com-arrival at the front of the former's 'MansnaL Wu Pei-fu is reported Mr. K. Uchiyama, yesterday. manded by Lieut-Colonel Yasukochi detachment, which is now taking a. to have demanded. the immediate have harmed to Yingkuo and areied on a mission to" bring' iota Mr. Uchiyama had been despatch-Gex, Chen Yao-san, former con roundabout' route, release of Marshal Tsao Kun, the now standing guard over the city.
Hlukden the Japanese residents at Sion, whose forces were "rautal mander of the 4th Chekiang General. Kuo' the meantione, the vanguard of ex President.
forces, consisting of tls] The Japanese commander had in Heiomantny interview with a representative appeal tol *ToUnd Sungkiang early this yest the 59th Regiment, two artillery A star officer to Marshal San
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.