EXTRA
Manager.
THE CHINA MAIL
HONG KONG, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1938.
FALL OF CANTON
JAPANESE TANKS RUMBLE ALONG BUND
EVEN JAPANESE *ASTOUNDED
Not only have Chinese circles
in Hong Kong been shocked and dismayed by the news, but even Japanese quarters express aston,
shment at deve opinents,
· One high, offic al said: “I can hardly believe it.”
CANTON OFFICIALS IN FLIGHT
FIRST INTIMATION OF...“ THE
Sudden Collapse Brings Consternation
To H.K.
Chinese
AFTER ONE OF THE MOST RAPID AND ASTOUNDING ADVANCES IN THE SINO-JAPANESE WAR, CANTON HAS FALLEN TO THE JAPANESE FORCES, SAYS REUTER.
With the ponderous Chinese military machine awaiting in prepared posi- tions an attack that never came, Japanese mechanised units after a vast flanking movement, descended with almost incredible rapidity from the north and marched into the eity at 2.30 this afternoon.c Only nine days after the landing at Bias Bay have sufficed for the Japan
́ese to gain an objective which it was thought would not be attained without a terrific and sanguinary struggle.
IMMINENTE FALL OF THE Although details at present are vague, it appears that in addition to blow- ing up the power plant and other public utilities, the Chinese set fire to portions of the
KWANGTUNG CAPITAL WAST PROVIDED BY A MESSAGE * FROM REUTER IN SHANGĦAL -ANNOUNCING THAT WIRELESS - MESSAGES 7" RECEIVED `SHANGHAI BY AUTHORITA: TIVE QUARTERS – DISCLOSED THAT THE HIGH OFFICIALS HAD FLED.
Before leaving, orders were given for the destruction of publle build.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
inga and utility works and factorite, TO DEFENDERS
and the city was being shaken by] explosions as dynamite charges
were set off.
Writ
city.
Most puzzling feature of what, According later information Appears to be a lamentably tragic from forelga sources on Shameen, collapse of the Canton defences is parts Car
ablaze BB result of fires spreading from the the whereabouts of the troops areas which were destroyed on Gov. which passed through Cantons from Pernment orders.
Kwangsi ad the way to
front.
ONLY NOON EDITION My other 3 pro-
SUSPENDED
The 'China Mill" is informed that that wok Man
"Buspended.
of the
paper who this morning, explained
vogn edition, bad gene
Japanese tanks approached the city from the north shortly after noon, and at 2.30 rumbled into Canton proper down the East Bund
Fall of the city came as a complete surprise în spite of earlier reports that the Japanese were with- in fifteen miles of the Kwangtung capital
The Chinese were expected to fight in ositions north of the city, in the vicinity of White Gloud Mountain, but apparently the Japanese mech- anised vanguards entered Canton without shot being fired.
poln Hong Kong Chinese circles are consternated by the Kity: 150 MIJE by thội fall of the city. Denying widespread rumours of treason, they attribute the collapse to “ab- ominable leadership."..
ith extraordić
blooda
RADIO LINK WITH SHAMEE