CHINESE ADMIT ABANDONMENT OF PENGPU
Hankow, To-day. After several days of heavy fighting, which culminated in intensive bombardment of the
THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 4, 1938.
Japanese National Mobilisation Bill
Tokyo, To-day...
During the debate on the Budget in the House of Representatives last night, the Premier gave notice that the Government is submitting the National Mobilisation Bill. He added that he expected the Diet to approve the measure, which was being drafted by the legislative bureau.
Japan, with its large popula-}
Chinese positions by the Japanese on Wednesday tion, declared the War Minister, night, the Chinese, it is now admitted here, have abandoned Pengpu and have retired to the chain of lakes in the rear.
The Japanese have thus reach- ed the strongly fortified Chinese main line of defence, which is supported by natural obstacles of terrain.
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need not worry over re-enlistment while the bill amending the mili- of the necessary conscripts, tary service law would efficiently meet the new internationa situa-
tion.
Mere revision of the military service law was insufficient for a war of the future. Placing the nation on a war footing was ne cessary for such a purpose and in this sense the necessity for na- Fate of that section of tional mobilisation was keenly
still in Chin- felt.
the T.P.R. ese hands, and the eastern sector of the Lunghai Railway, will thus be decided by the degree of resistance which the Chinese are able to offer on the new front.
The Chinese and Japanese have both reinforced their troops by number of fresh divisions..
JAPANESE PREPARED
FOR LOSSES
Reuter.
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Tokyo, To-day.
Full support of the Nation- al Mobilisation Bill now be- ing discussed for 'presenta- tion to the Diet, is announc- éd after a meeting of par-
last few days, and that they are prepared to suffer heavy losses in order to bring the Military quarters in Hankow be-action to a successful issue since lieve that the Japanese will give control of the T. P. R. would great- their men a brief respite after they facilitate Japanese troop move- violent offensives of the ments.-Trans-Ocean.
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liamentary members of the reactionary Tohokai Party.
-Anticipating the present emergency, the Party state- ment said that members ad- vocated "bulwarking the State by means of planned economy under which all na- tional resources should be linked up effectively to meet contingencies.”
The statement urged the Government to present the bill for national mobilisation in the present session of the Diet, "paying no heed to ob jections raised by party cir- cles.”
The controversial bill is expected to be presented to parliamentarians for appro- val some time next week.
Even if approved, the bill is not expected to be invoked during the current China in- cident, however.
Government leaders point out that they are following a "strictly constitutional path” in seeking passage of the measure by the Diet instead of imposing it by means of an emergency ordinance.
It is made plain that the Government is determined to secure passage of the bill whatever the opposition. Reuter.
CANTON COUP NIPPED IN BUD
(Continued from Page 1)
fire, but no bombs were dropped on the city.
PLANE BROUGHT DOWN A Chinese source states that one Japanese plane was brought down at Tungkawan.
It is generally assumed that an- ticipation of Intensification of. Ja- panese aerial activities in South China was the reason for yester- day's notification to shipping, in which connection the wildest ru- mours circulated in the city all night.
Martial law continues : and to-day all cars entering Canton. are being stopped and search- ed by soldiers.
River steamers left at the usual time this morning but on reaching the barrier were refused passage. All the vessels returned to Cantón. A foreign gunboat stood by at the barrier and communicated news to Canton:
The city is thoroughly
ted over the developments of the past 24 hours-Reuter
Shanghai, To-day.
The Japanese naval spokesman
STOP PRESS
TEL. 20022 or 33993
POPULAR FALLACIES
That there is no tide in the Mediterranean Sea.
This is not- 80,-** There is a tide, though it is con- siderably less than in the Atlantic - Ocean... Near Venica it amounts- to 3 ft., but off the island of Zante the rise is only 9 inches. -It IS true, however, that the Office Ap- pliance Co., Ltd. is now taking steps to expand and reorganize their repair department in order. to be able to offer a service hither- to unprecedented in this town.
PERSONAL NOTICE
announced this morning that Ja-"LFEDS accept proposal incom- panese planes, subjected highways plete" telephone arrangements. and railways leading to Canton to heavy bombing.
Japanese planes also bombed mill- tary headquarters
Amgy Reuter
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