Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 156, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 November 1931 — Page 1

MISERY ‘PAST belief; found IN MJNE ZONE Kentucky Conditions as Bad as Anywhere on Earth, Dreiser Declares. PROSECUTION IS URGED Congress Probe Should Be Instituted, Assertion of Author. (CoDvrißht. 1931. bv United Press) PINEVILLE, Ky., Nov. 9.—Theodore Dreiser, whose inquiry into charges of “official terrorism” in the coal fields of southeastern Kentucky has ended, declared today that he considered conditions “as bad as they could be anywhere in the world.” Dreiser, author-chairman of the National Committee for Protection of Political Prisoners, led the committee into the heart of a district which for months has been torn by bloody strife. Lines of sympathy in the district are drawn sharply. Slayings have resulted in wholesale arrests. “There ought to be prosecutions of the severest type against officials of Harlan county,” said the author of “An American Tragedy,” whose personal sympathies lie to the left, in matters affecting labor. “I think there should be a congressional investigation," he said, “but I fancy the first step will be a state inquiry. It is the usual American lineup of capital and labor, with everything on one side and nothing on the other, but two bare hands!” Misery Beyond Belief The author-investigator, who some months back slapped the face of Sinclair Lewis, Nobel prize-win-ning contemporary, was affected deeply by conditions he said he had witnessed, and by portrayal of other conditions given his committee voluntarily by witnesses. “It is a very aggravated case here,” he said, “because of the very gallant temperament of these Kentuckians. “We hear of the plight of one people and cf another—of the ‘starving Armenians,’ for example—but I believe that economic conditions here, and the condition of actual physical misery, is as great as it could be anywhere in the world. “I have had much testimony given me. We concluded with the meeting at Straight Creek Sunday afternoon. It was attended largely, packed to the doors. “Out of it all, I can’t imagine a situation in which stern prosecutions of officials could be more deserved.” Sheriff Denies Charges ‘Dreiser’s investigation developed the workers’ side of the bitterly contested labor dispute, when the author also threw open his voluntary hearings to spokesmen of the other side, Sheriff John Henry Blair of Harlan county vigorously denied the “terrorism” charge. High lights of the three-day inquiry included: Testimony of witnesses that affiliation with unionism had cost them their jobs and that payment for labor was made in scrip good only at compstny commissaries. Denunciation of the “National Miners’ union” by Sheriff Blair as a ‘communistic organization.’ (The Harlan mines are strictly nonunion). Arrest of Bruce Crawford, editor of Crawford’s Weekly, Norton, v '. a member of Dreiser's committee, on a warrant charging he slandered Sheriff Blair. Crawford was shot by a mysterious assailant at Harlan last summer. Blair’s suit asks $50,000 damages. Interrogation of Dreiser at one meeting of his committee by Herndon J. Evans, editor of the Pineville (Ky.) Sun, elicited the reply that Dreiser’s annual income was “about $35,000” and that he gave nothing, directly, to charity. Thugs in Saddle Testimony that “armed thugs, gunmen and deputies” held sway in the county, and that deputies were on company pay rolls. Refusal of Circuit Judge D. C. Jones to testify on grounds that because of its unofficial nature the inquiry could “accomplish nothing.” Judge Jones has been accused by the miners of “company sympathy.” Testimony that Harlan county mines demanded “yellow dog” contracts, in which workers were pledged not to join any labor union, and that dismissals followed union activities. The Harlan County Coal Operators’ Association is composed of executives who feel their own conditions of labor are eminently fair, and who blame adverse competitive conditions of labor for the plight of the Kentucky fields. Blood has been shed there in spectacular manner, reaching a high water mark last May with the ambush of deputy sheriffs by citizens of Evarts and the resultant murders of four men. “Sniping” from nearby hills down upon miners en route to the pits has been common. PLAYWRIGHT IS DEAD Tom Barry Was Author of Stage and Screen Successes. By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 9.—Funeral arrangements were being completed today for Thomas Donahue, widely known as Tom Barry, playwright and screen writer, who died Saturday night of heart disease. Barry was author of “Courage” Rnd “Danger,” stage successes, and wrote for the screen “In Old Arizona," “East Lynne” and “Over the Hill.” He W’as 45 years old.

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The Indianapolis Times Increasing cloudiness and continued warm tonight; Tuesday unsettled with probably showers and colder by afternoon or night.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 156

TRADE BOOMS AND BIG STORES CHANT ‘HAPPY DAYS AGAIN’

Alec Francis, Famed Movie Star, Vanishes

By United Praia VENTURA, Cal., Nov. 9.—Alec B. Francis, 60, noted screen character actor, was found here today in what police-described as a “dazed and exhausted condition.” Francis w r as taken to the Ventura hospital by Captain Myers of the police force. By United Prats Hollywood, Nov. 9.— Alec b. Francis, famous motion picture character actor, was sought throughout the state today, follow-

ing his unexpl ai ife and disappearance late Saturday. It was fcarc he was a victim 0 foul play rather than of amnesii for his health war good, according tc his wife. Francis dropped from sight after leaving a taxicab at a station. He was working on a picture with Greta Garbo at

the time. Francis, who has been in motion pictures twenty-one years, was born in London sixty years ago, and haa lived in New York, Bombay and Johannesburg.

ILLINOIS POISON RIDDLEPROBED Tragedy Resembles Simmons Death Mystery. By United Press SENECA, 111., Nov. 9.—A mother and three daughters will sit at their dining room table today and reenact the meal believed responsible for the poison death of another daughter and the serious illness of two of the girls. The surviving members of the Walker family will duplicate the dinner which was followed immediately by the death of Marian, 14, before a coroner’s jury seeking solution of a case not unlike the Lebanon (Ind.) “poison picnic mystery,” still unsolved. Arsenic was held responsible for Marian’s death, in the report of a Chicago toxicologist, who made an autopsy. Two of the sisters, Marjorie, 21, and Caroline, 24, became seriously ill after the meal. Coroner L. D. Howe said symptoms ot their illness were similar to those in arsenic poisoning. STUNS DEATH DEFENSE Prosecutor in Adams’ Murder Trial Claims to Have Eye-Witnesses. By United Press FT. WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 9.—Prosecutor Walter Helmke injected a note of surprise into the George Adams’ murder trial here today by announcing, in his opening statement, that he will produce four eyewitnesses to tfte slaying of John Wilson and Walter Gilbert, prohibition agents, last June 22. Adams is being tried on a first degree murder charge resulting from Wilson’s death.

SIMMONS TRIAL COSTS BOONE COUNTY $4,500; $1,350 GOES TO JURY

By Times Special LEBANON, Ind., Nov. 9.—Taxpayers of Boone county will be set back 1 cent on each taxable SIOO for trying Mrs. Carrie Simmons, Hancock county farm wife, on the charge of murdering her daughter, Alice Jean, 10. Approximate cost of the trial is given as $4,500. The jury which was discharged Thursday night, after failing to reach a verdict in forty-eight hours, deliberation, will receive $1,300 for the trial cost. The special venire of 150 talesmen cost $1,250. Special Prosecutor Roy W. Adney will be paid SSOO for his services.

WARLIKE JAPAN THROWS WORLD INTO CONFUSION

United States Is Faced With Gravest Menace to Peace Since Spring of 1917

BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS

Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.—Japan's continued defiance of the League of Nations is seen here as bringing the United States within measurable distance of the gravest decisions since the spring of 1917. Should Japan continue her present military course in Manchuria, a league boycott against her is regarded as probable. The United States then would either have to join the boycott, or at least respect it, or find itself in dangerous conflict with the rest of world.

Annual Buying Rush Is On, With Millions Back in Circulation. BY RICHARD L. GRIDLEY United Press Financial Writer NEW YORK, Nov. 9.—The annual department store buying rush, which promises to put millions of dollars into circulation, has begun in the world’s largest shopping center. The first spell of wintry weather, coupled with the lowest prices in a decade, has sent people swarming into aisles of larger stores, they reported. And now many department store executives feel that this will be the last holiday season under influence of business depression. A canvass of the leading stores serving the New York district has led to predictions that the volume of sales this year may exceed last year, although dollar volume may fall behind, because of sharply reduced selling prices. Sales Go Soaring The best n/ws comes from William H. Howard, advertising manager of the giant R. H. Macy & Cos. store, largest cash retailer in the world. Howard said that, with seasonable weather, the purchase of winter garments for men and women has resulted in an exceptional increase in sales in the last week. Howard saw few signs of gift shopping yet. Equally optimistic news came from John Wanamaker & Cos. Joseph Appel, advertising manager of Wanamakcr’s, said sales during the last two weeks had, for the first time in two years, shown encouraging signs of returning to a normal basis. An official of McCrory Stores Corporation, large retailers of lowerpriced merchandise in the metropolitan area, said the holiday trade has started and “happy days are here again.” Holiday Rush Next Officials of Sak’s Fifth avenue store believe things “look very encouraging,” while a spokesman for Frederick Loeser, large Brooklyn dry goods house, noted steady improvement, part of which he attributed to individual sales campaigns. Optimistic reports were received from other store heads, most of whom would not talk for publication. Consensus was that as soon as the initial boom incident to the sudden change in weather falters, stores will begin to feel the full effects of the holiday buying season, expected shortly, with Christmas only seven weeks away. These sales will tap the huge reservoirs of idle and semi-idle funds now lying in strong boxes and savings bank accounts. TAX DAR EXTENDED Saturday Now Is Deadline on Delinquence. In order to save thousands of Marion county property owners from paying penalties on delinquent taxes, Clyde Robinson, treasurer, today announced extension for the first time in history here, of time for November payments until Friday and Saturday. The county tax, office will be open to 4 p. m. each day when taxes will be received without delinquence penalties. None of the tax payments will be received by mail, each taxpayer being requested to come to the office in person with duplicates.

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Francis

Dr. Rollo N. Harger, toxicologist will receive the only witness fee to be allowed in the trial. Harger will receive S2OO for analysis of the vital organs of the dead girls. A number of defense witnesses filed for fees, but they will not be paid, because the defendant was not convicted. Sheriff Wilbur Small will receive extra mileage for work done during the trial in serving subpenas and notices to veniremen. The special grand jury and several other items raise the trial cost. Ben Scifres, prosecutor, has not decided whether Mrs. Simmons will be re-tried. She was freed Friday on a $5,000 bail on each of two indictments.

According to Article 16 of the league covenant, any member resorting to war in disregard of its pledges “shall ipso facto be deemed to have committed an act of war against all other members” which must apply the boycott immediately. Not only does this action call for the severance of all trade, financial and other relations as between league members and a covenant-breaking state, but as between the covenant-breaking state and all other nations as well, whether members of the league or not. y

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1931

NAVY LEAGUE TU HURL NEW HOOVERBLAST Second Statement Will Be ‘ Issued, Following Action by Committee. NO APOLOGY IS MADE Inquiry by Congress Given Little Support; Paper Demands Probe. By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.—President Hoover apparently is willing to drop his dispute with the Navy League, but league officials said today they had another statement on the subject in preparation. There is no indication that Mr. Hoover would act further to obtain an apology from 'the league or its president, William Howard Gardiner. Gardiner said of Mr. Hoover that he w’as a “congenital pacifist” and “abysmally ignorant.” Theodore Joslin, White House secretary, said that, so far as he knew, “nothing further is being done about the matter.” The report of Mr. Hoover’s committee challenging Navy League statements on naval matters was made public Saturday —IO,OOO words with a 1,500-word covering letter. Joslin thought the incident closed wdth that report. Reply Due Tuesday William Galvin, league executive secretary, said the league’s reply would be available Tuesday. Scant congressional sentiment has developed so far for an inquiry, although the editorial proposal today of the fiew York Herald-Tribune for a congressional investigation may rouse some interest in such a project. The Herald-Tribune is one of the foremost administration newspapers, but it expressed dissatisfaction with the Hoover committee report, asserting the committee heard “only witnesses for the prosecution.” Two congressional committees would be available immediately for an investigation. The senate lobby committee, of which the late Senator Caraway was chairman, never has been discharged. Surviving members are Borah, Blaine, Arthur Robinson, all Republicans, and Walsh (Dem„ Mont.). This committee was instructed by the senate to investigate lobbying and propaganda. Only Robinson could be classed as a big navy man. He was one of half, a dozen who opposed the London naval treaty because of what he interpreted as its adverse effect on ■-he United States navy. No Report Made Chairman Shortridge of the senate committee which investigated William B. Shearer’s subsidized opposition to a naval agreement in 1927 never has reported. Informed administration officials have intimated no report was desired w’hen Mr. Hoover in 1929 issued his condemnation of Shearer’s earlier activities and asked that they be investigated. Chairman French of the house subcommittee on naval appropriations said today that if any investigation were made it should go into the whole question of propaganda Chairman Britten of the house naval affairs committee refused today to comment on the possibility of a congressional investigation. “Hoover Plan” Jeered Senator Norris (Rep., Neb.), today said western states were laughing at the personally selected committee which last week absolved President Hoover of charges made against him by the League. “I think we ought to have anew Hoover plan,” said Norris, “The recent commission appointed to settle a controversy between the President and another gentleman may result in a very great improvement of judicial procedure. “We could save money and clear up the crowded dockets of the courts by letting every accused man gppoint a jury of his friends to bring a verdict. The President surely will not assume a right himself which he will deny to an ordinary citizen. “Under this plan, the Teapot Dome scandal would have been settled in twenty-four hours. Fall could have selected his own jury.” Opens Longest Sea Phone Hookup By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.—Secretary of State Stimson today opened service over what was described as the longest trans-Atlantic telephone hookup ever made. He exchanged remarks with Prince Ghika, foreign minister of Rumania. Conversation was in English.

TTTITH the world in the mid- * ' die of the worst depression in history, a high official suggested to the writer that it is very doubtful if the United States could be brought into a boycott. This doubt was probably one of the reasons, an internationally known jurist and former league official declared, which led Japan to choose this particular moment to launch her Manchurian drive. Article 16 not only calls for a boycott, but provides for the use of joint military, naval and air forces to carry out the league’s decisions. *'

‘WINS’ DEATH RIDE

Boy, 8, Loses Life in Crash

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Riding with his brothers to view the ' grave of their father, Richard Boyd, 8, of 1764 Morgan street, was injured fatally Sunday in an automobile accident.

AN automobile ride which he “won” from his brothers and sister Sunday, carried Richard Boyd, 8, of 1764 Morgan street, to his death. With nine children in the family, Richard, his sister and brothers, always played games to determine who might go for automobile rides whenever the opportunity occurred. They drew straws and worked out a system of “turn about.’’ Sunday, Richard and his brothers, Phillip, 9, and John, 6, were the “lucky” three. Their ride was to take them to a little cemetery near Nora, where their father is buried. But at Thirty-ninth street and Capitol avenue the car in xvhich they were riding, driven by James Carr, 2122 Miller street, was struck by another automobile, driven by Ames Greiner, 45, of 653 South Delaware street. Richard died several hours later at St. Vincent’s hospital. u n u TWO years ago tragedy struck the home when the father died and since then Mrs. Georgia Boyd has been successful in her struggle to keep her family together. John and Philip were injured slightly in the accident. Funeral -services will be held for Richard at 2 Wednesday afternoon at the Woodworth-Etter tabernacle, followed by burial in Farley cemetery. Richard was a pupil at School 46. His death raised Marion county’s auto death toll to 145 for the year. Survivors in addition to the ipother and the injured boys are five brothers, Lynn, 17; Robert, 15; Paul, 11; David, 10; Gerald, 6; Joseph, 4, and a sister, Hazel, 13. Greiner was bound over to the grand jury today on a manslaughter charge. CARAWAY IS BURIED Watson Attends Funeral of Latfe Senate Colleague. By United Press JONESBORO, Ark., Nov. 9.—Congressional colleagues of the late Senator Thaddeus H. Caraway, and Arkansas farmers for whom he sought drought aid, gathered here today for his funeral. The congressional delegation was headed by Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas and Senator James E. Watson of Indiana. Caraway died Friday night after an operation. The late senator’s body lay in state for five hours Sunday in the rotunda of the state Capitol at Little Rock. Thousands of friends and constituents, whom he aided during the last drought, filed past the bier. The body was in a massive steel casket, banked with floral tributes. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 53 10 a. m 63 7a. m 52 11 a. m 67 Ba. m 55 12 (noon).. 70 9 a. m 59 1 p. m 71

The uncertainty of what the United States might do in the event of a “league war” has been the bugaboo of Europe for more than a decade. This, as much as any other one factor, has hindered the world’s plans for disarmament. The fear has been that the United States might defy a levgue boycott, thus precipitating another world war. At Geneva and in other world capitals the possibility of a boycott against Japan already is envisaged. Doubtless it will be broached again when the league council meets in extraordinary session in Paris next week.

Richard Boyd

‘NEW DEAL’NEED SEEN BY FORD Economic Machine Must Be Remodeled, He Says. By United Press DETROIT, Nov. 9.—Henry Ford believes “we are going to remodel our economic machine so it won’t fly to pieces when it gets out on the road.” Further, he feels that money, like strength, must be used, or it atrophies and becomes useless. In an interview here, packed with “Fordisms,” the noted auto maker declared the present economic machine is “a pretty good system—when it works,” but he counseled against trying to remedy it on the basis of “good will experiments” coupled with inexperience. Unemployment insurance, Ford believes, would result in a permanent evil. “There is work and there is plenty of it in the world if the leaders would give more time to thinking of it,” he asserted. Proposals to regulate or curtail manufacturers will receive no support from Ford. It is an idea born of despair and not of hope, he said, and would result in putting the public at the mercy of the manufacturer. it is better the public be in control, he believes. Taxes must be reduced, because “the country won’t work hard again “for the privilege of paying taxes alone,” Ford said. GLORIA’S MARRIAGE IS INVALID, SAYS CLERK License Official Cites Reasons for Illegality of Rites. By United Press NORTH TARRYTOWN, N. Y., Nov. 9.—Gloria Swanson’s marriage to Michael Farmer, wealthy Irish sportsman, at Elmsford Aug. 16 is invalid, Edward F. Hennessey, Mt. Pleasant township clerk, who issued the license, said today. He gave two reasons for the invalidity: The license was issued in one township and the marriage performed in another township, contrary to New York state law. The ceremony was performed before the expiration of one year from the date of Miss Swanson’s last divorce from the Marquis De La Falaise De La Coudraye, contrary to the order of the California supreme court. It was Miss Swanson’s fourth wedding. MENACES BORAH^HELD Man Who Threatened Senator Is Arrested by Capital Police. By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.—John E. Fraser, 23, was held in Gallinger hospital today for mental observation, charged with threatening Senator William E. Borah (Rep., Idaho) at his Washington home last week. Fraser is alleged to have threatened Borah’s life after gaining entrance to the library of the sen- ‘ ator’s home.

JAPAN’S total foreign trade amounts to approximately $4,000,000,000 annually. The United States is her first customer, buying about $375,000,000 worth of her products every year. The United States buys almost all of Japan’s exportable raw silk. Os an average of $340,000,000 worth exported annually, the United States takes approximately $320,000,000 worth. Japan, like England, is a highly developed industrial nation. To cut off her raw materials and food imports, and prevent the outflow of manufactured goods would paralyze her national life quickly.

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JAPANESE SHELL TIENTSIN; AMERICAN TROOPS CALLED TO PATROL DUTY IN RIOTS U. S. Property and Lives of Foreign Section Residents Periled; Chinese Quarter Is Target of Bombardment. NEW CLASH LOOMS IN MANCHURIA Plot to Draw Russia Into Far Eastern Conflict, Reported in Moscow, Arouses Leaders of Soviet. - By United Press American armed forces were involved in the Chinese situation for the first time when troops were called out at Tientsin, fort of Peiping, to protect American lives and property against rioters. The United States has both warships and troops in China, standing by if needed. Japanese bombarded the Chinese quarter of the city today. Japan refused the League of Nations’ demand that troops be withdrawn from the occupied section of Manchuria. Tokio reported Japan might resign from the league. Thousands of Chinese troops concentrated in Heilungkiang province, Manchuria, against the Japanese. Moscow 1 w T as aroused by reports of a Japanese and whit© Russian plot to draw Russia into the conflict.

u Stimson Works for Peace By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 9—Secretary of State Stimson is planning anew American move to maintain peace in the Orient. This was learned today, after Stimson held a conference with President Hoover at the White House. Officials would not disclose the nature of this projected step. Because he is working actively on this latest effort to safeguard peace, Stimson declined at his press conference today w discuss the Manchurian situation. He would not answer directly a question as to whether American forces in China would be supplemented because of anti-foreign demonstrations. Stimson said that many things were under consideration. He pointed out, however, that a squadron of naval vessels already is in the far east as well as a regiment of infantry at Tientsin. Although Stimson did not say so directly, observers received the impression that he regarded existing American forces in or near China as sufficient to safeguard United States interests, at least for the present. The Japanese embassy here, in making public Japan’s refusal to withdraw troops from Manchuria until China meets Japan’s demands, said that if the troops are withdrawn now “Japan and China simply would be exposed to a speedy recurrence of untoward incidents.’* Japan Faces Expulsion By United Press GENEVA, Nov. 9—League of Nations circles hinted today that Japan might be threatened with expulsion from the league for violation of the covenant by her military activity in Manchuria. It was declared that Japan’s demand for a written agreement on Baron Shidehara’s five points as a preliminary to withdrawal of troops from Manchuria was “further evidence” that the Japanese occupation was not merely to protect her interests, but to force Chinese to make concessions. Because of this development, it was contended, Japan has placed herself in the position of acknowledging Ihat she has violated the league covenant provisions against aggression. Plot Story Stirs Russia By United Press MOSCOW, Nov. 9.—Unconfirmed and unofficial reports from the east today told of a purported plot to seize the Chinese Eastern railway in Manchuria—jointly owned by Russia and China—to d/aw the Soviet Union into the conflict. The reports were not official, but were sufficient to arouse fear among Soviet officials that some provocatory action might occur along the Chinese Eastern. The story reaching here from Khabarovsk, on the Manchurian border, was that a member of the Japanese mission in Harbin, on Nov. 4, negotiated with the White Russian leader, General Kosmin, to instigate a white guard seizure of the Chinese Eastern. The aforementioned Japanese, the report said, invited Kosmin to organize an anti-Soviet plot, Japan to supply the necessary money, arms and munitions.

On the other hand, Japan buys about $300,000,000 worth of commodities annually from the United States, cotton being her principal item of import. She consumes about $275,000,000 worth of raw cotton of which some $125,000,000 worth is purchased in the United States. In addition to cotton, Japan buys considerable quantities of lumber, automobiles, machinery, steel and iron from this country. Powerful influences, therefore, unquestionably would be brought to bear on Washington were a boycott considered.

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Tientsin Bombarded (Copyright. 1931. bv United Press) TIENTSIN, China, Nov. 9. Japanese troops bombarded Chinese districts of Tientsin at dawn today, after a night of rioting, during which American troops were called to patrol American districts. Forty shells fired from the Japanese concession fell in the Chinese area. Four persons were killed and ten were wounded. Japanese authorities said random shots fired by rioting Chinese soldiers fell in the Japanese concession, killing two sentries and wounding a woman. The Italian and French garrisons were on guard all night, but the shell fire apparently ended the danger to foreign residents. The fighting began at midnight, when about 1,000 armed Chinese began disorders not far from the foreign concessions. The rioters attacked the Chinese police station, the railroad station and the Governor’s headquarters. The native police were surrounded and driven back. Three companies of Chinese troops were called out to disperse the assailants. Marshal Chang Hsueh-Liang, Manchurian ruler, who controls the Peiping area, sent an armored train from Peiping. The soldiers restored comparative calm for a brief period, but the fighting broke out again at 2 a. m., with about 2,000 armed men engaged. The arrival of Chang Hsueh-Li-ang’s troops quelled the mutiny. The Japanese authorities issued an order to the rioters at 5 a. m. to withdraw from a zone extending 300 yards outside the Japanese concession. The order was not obeyed. The shelling was started at 7 a. nv Near Clash in Manchuria BY D. C. BESS United Press Staff Correspondent MUKDEN, Nov. 9. —The most serious battle of the Manchurian warfare was threatened today in Heilungkiang province. Chinese forces loyal to Chang Heueh-Liang, Manchurian war lord, have massed south of Anganchi, near the Nomni river railroad bridge, Japanese military authorities announced. The Japanese advices said the Chinese outnumbered the Japanese soldiers at the Nomni bridge by twenty to one and that they were preparing for an attack in the region where they were defeated last week. There are 1,000 Japanese soldiers in the area. A Japanese advance farther northward, toward the Soviet-con- ! trolled Chinese Eastern railroad, j "'as threateiyd as a result of the military developments. Such an advance would enable Chinese forces friendly to Japan to occupy the city of Tsitsihar, the only provincial capital of Manchuria not under Japanese influence. Japan Defies League BY' MILES W. VAUGHN United Press Staff Correspondent TOKIO, Nov. 9.—The Japanese government plans to withdraw from the League of Nations if “the present tendencies” in regard to Man* churia are continued at Geneva. Official sources said the government had not information on reports that the league was studying possibility of a diplomatic boycott to force Japan to withdraw her troops from Manchuria. It was stated, however, that the Japanese opinion is that the league is assuming the role of a “superstate,” and that Japan will nofc continue as a member unless there is a change of tendency. The government is particularly indignant in regard to the alleged inclination of the league secretariat to accept all Chinese statements at their face value an dto doubt ali Japanese declarations regarding de. velopments in Manchuria. The Japanese representative at the league was instructed to protest against the secretariat’s attitude. In connection with the Japanese attitude toward withdrawal of troops by Nov. 16 as demanded by the League of Nations, the government will insist that China first sign anew written agreement covering the five points of peace settlement advanced by Baron Shidelhara. \