The press bureau of the Imperial Japanese Force to Central China issued the following communique yesterday:—In connection with the recent advice of the Japanese Army to third Power nationals, still residing in Kuling, to evacuate the resort by February 10, an attempt appears to have been made by a section of the local English-language press to create an issue over the question of the withdrawal of these persons to Kiukiang.
By appealing to the emotions, this section of the press apparently is seeking to make the sentimental fac-for predominate in the matter.
As clearly stated in the note of February 1, communicated by Mr. Y. Miura, Japanese Consul-Ggneral in end Shanghai, to his colleagues, these Third-Power nationals are staying in Kuling at their own risk. It was as early as June 11 last year that the Japanese Government, in view of the impending operations against Hankow, urged Third-Party nationals to evacuate from the area in which Kuling is located.
It is now deemed urgent by the Japanese Army to clear out the Chinese forces in and around Kuling which disturb peace and order.
That these forces are active can be gauged from the information, being distributed by Central News Agency, &n official Chinese organ. Anyone familiar with Chinese methods of propaganda, will easily realize that the reports are exaggerated. Nevertheless, I (no name is given) believe that they are relevant in that they show Chinese activity in a zone of vital importance in the rear of the present positions of the Imperial forces. It is evident that the Japanese Army cannot tolerate such a situation.
I feel it opportune to make this observation at this time in order to prevent sentiment to becloud matters which should be judged in the rational light of military necessity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.