'This announcement was made after the "Premier, Prince Fumimaro Konoye, had' secured Imperial approval of "a grave decision" reached at an emergency meeting of the Government.
"AI! measures necessary to main~ tain peace in North China" would be taken, the Cabinet communique said.
Fleet Admiral Prince Hiroyas! Fushimi, naval. chief of star, was received: in audience at the Hayama Imperial Villa at 7:30 o'clock to-night when he submitted a report on the Bleps taken by the Third Fleet, stationed In Chinese waters, for the protection of Japanese lives and property in central and south China, Prince Konoye's View The cessation of "unlawful acts and activities insulting to, Japan" by the Chinese constituted "the key to. the solution of this situation," Prince Konoye said in a press interview to-night.
He. remarked that the Japanese Government had "not lost hope" in local accord, but stressed that the Ssceeptance of our demands" was essential to the maintenance of peace in East Asia, "the question of funds required for the sending of troops was bein studied by the Ministry of Finance, the Premier added.
Prince Konoye to-night summoned business and financial leaders, prominent publishers and writers, and representatives of the Upper" and Lower Houses of the Diet to his foMlelal residence to seek their sup port of the Government's attitude, Gen, Gen Sugiyama, Minister of War, Mr, "Akira Kazaini, secretary general of the Cabinet, and other oMlelals attended the meeting Cabinet Statement Asserting that there wai that the present series of incidents constituted a systematic Chinese armed resistance against apan," a Cabinet statement to-day rossed the need for the adoption of stops to prevent their recurrence.
"However, inasmuch as the maine tenance of peace in East Asia remains the quiding policy of the Empire, the Government has not lost hope for peaceful negotiations to prevent the aggravation of the situation, Tt hoping for an amicable settlement Based upon w prompt reconsideration bby the Chinese of their attitude," the statement continues, "Due consideration will naturally be given to the protection of the Interests of other Powers," the an nouncement noted.
The announcement was made following an emergency Cabinet meeting attended by all Ministers when a decision on Polley ws Teached. Cabinet approval was also given to the appropriation of et ergency funds required for the execution of the adopted plan of action, Immediately afterwards, the For eign Office cabled Japanese consular official in China' to take steps necessary" for the protection of Japanese residents and to prepare for their possible evacuation to points of safety.
The Cabinet's announcement in full was as follows?
"tu the face of recurrent Chinese actions insulting to Japan, our China garrison remained patient and However, the 20th Army, which shared with our forces the: task of maintaining peace and order in North China, unlawfully fred on our troops the vicinity of Lukouchiao on the night of July 7, unavoidably leading to-an open condlet with the China garrison, "Asa result, the situation in the: 'Tientsin area' became grave. Our residents found themselves in Jeopardy, "Not abandoning our hopes for a peaceful settlement and pursuant to our policy not to aggravate the situs tion we sought to reach a local solution, "The 20th Army, is spite of having. agreed to a peaceful settlement again unlawfully attacked our troops on the night of July 10, inflicting considerable losses.
Tokyo, July 11. YAR fever gripped Japan to-day as events in North China situation, the Imperial Household issued late this afternoon the Cabinet made public the dispatch of Japanese reinforcements to "Moreover, the Chinese increased their fitsteline forces, caused their' units from Suiyuan to proceed south and' ordered the mobilization Central. troops.
"While engaging in these military preparations they showed no sincerity tu negotiations and totally refused to carry on conversations in Peiping.
Armed Resistance "Judging from the above, there is! no doubt that the present series of incidents constitutes a systematic form of Chinese armed resistance against Japan.
"It goes without saying that the' maintenance of peace in'North China fs a matter of profound importance to Japan and to Manchoukuo, "It is most urgently necessary, for the maintenance of Asia, that. the Chinese should apologize not only for their unlawful factions "but also their. activities directed against and. insulting Japan, and that they should offer guarantees against the recurrence of such events, "Consequently, the Government} reached a grave decision at to-day's Cabinet meeting regarding all measures necessary to maintain peace in North China, "However, inasmuch as the maintenance of peace in East Asia remains the guiding policy of the Empire, the Government' has not lost hope for Peaceful negotiations to prevent the iagravation of the situation. Tt is hoping for an amicable settlement based upon a prompt reconsideration. by, the Chinese of their attitude.
"Our "due consideration will naturally be given to the protection of the interests of other Powers."
Explaining the Lukouchiao incident, the spokesman said that, "under the provisions of Article IXof the Joint [note of the Allied Powers concerning {the Boxer Rebellion in 1000, and the fourth paragraph of the Note exchanged between China and Japan in July 1902 concerning the restoration for Tientsin, Japanese garrison troops jin North China have been accustomed to carry on manoeuvres without restriction as. to locality or tine, "It is provided that, except in practice with live bullets, no notice need be given for individual cases of Char exercises oF manauvres, As a matter of fact, however, in order to remove anxiety from the local. inhabitants, notice had been gratuitously given beforehand." spokesman served as usual although no. Practice with live ullets was held. Sheldent= fey, other Powers maintaining. ertifons In China may and, in fact used hold similer manceuvres or exer flees frequently.
District Dest Suited the neighbourhood of Lunwanglao, where the Japenese troops were ide of iakouchins, and having Sut few, cuss lo best tuted for military mariouvres, The exercises last suum many" subsequent exercises or practices were held there, so that the place has come to be regarded as Fegular practice field for Japanese troops, "Last Wednesday night, shortly' jetter 13, when Japanese troops were HAred on, they had no live bullets save, supply amounting to one cartridge: for each soldier, which is reserved }for an emergency by the command-jing emeer. There was only one case! Jot ball cartridge for light machine-}suns. OF course, the supply was in-Jsuticient to. return the fire, and the! Jeommander of the Japanese troops, 19) Jmeet the emergency, immediately Summoned reinforcements from the Fengtai garrison, which dashed to the teen with a supply of live bullets Jand infantry guns' to oppose the (Chinese troops.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.