JAPANESE
THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 19, 1938
PREPARING
ON
FOR ATTACK
SIAN
Seriously Troubled By Operations Of Guerillas
Filtering Tactics And An Elusive Opponent
Shanghai, To-day.
The situation on various fronts remains virtually unchanged. The Japanese forces are holding much the same positions which they held several weeks ago.
It is believed, however, that the Japanese Command is expediting preparations for a redoubled offensive in North-Western China, with Sian, capital of the province of Shensi, probably as the first main objective.
ATTEMPT TO ARRANGE TRUCE AT CHRISTMAS
Paris, To-day.
areas consider-
and Japanese forces in Central South China are concentrating their endeavours on cleaning up already occupied, where able numbers of Chinese irregulars have been extremely active of late, harassing the Japanese by frequent raids. In view of the vast extent of the territories nominally held by the Japanese this is, however, an extremely difficult task since the Chinese irregulars seldom risk open to retire and battle and prefer filter back again around the Japan- ese flanks.
Burgos messages report that rumours are circulating in Insur- gent Spain that moves are be- ing considered abroad for month's armistice in Spain over territories, it is also impossible for Christmastide.
the Japanese to. isolate these terri-
a In view of the vast extent of the
It is alleged that the Span-tories so as to prevent irregular ish Committee for Civil Peace, units from maintaining contact with in conjunction with the French the Chinese main forces.
and British Committees, are con- Chinese irregulars therefore, are sidering the possibility of asking constantly receiving arms and men Pope and countries represented from outside sources.-Trans-Ocean. at. the Lima Conference to sug- gest an armistice to the rivall
forces.
LUICHOW DEFENCES
Szewui, To-day. War preparations are being made It is declared in Burgos that in animated pace at Liemkong and General Franco has not changed other cities in Luichow Peninsula, his standpoint, namely, no arm-west Kwangtung, as a result of re- istice or compromise.
It is further stated that if the cent Japanese threats to land troops
at Pakhoj. Pope or South American coun- The depopulation process has tries brought such a proposal already started in the cities they would receive a courteous most of the shops have been moved but firm refusal. Reuter.
FRANCE NEEDS PYRITES
Paris, To-day.
official
The appointment of an French trade representative to Burgos is advocated in "Intransi- geant" because France, for rearma- ment, is badly in need of pyrites from National Spain.
Previous to the present difficult situation, France, ́according to the paper, imported one million tons of
Now France needs much
more
and
further inland. A large exodus of people to Kwangchowwan (French) |is proceeding.-Central News.
ITALY, REICH AND SUEZ
CANAL ISSUE
Genoa, To-day. Italian and German shipping
AN UNUSUAL PICTURE-At the opening of the wool sales in Melbourne. Photo shows two of the buyers doing their best to make themselves heard.
POPE'S LONG-$100,000 IN TALK ON
CURIOS FOR SALE CHRISTMAS
IN BAZAAR
Vatican City, To-day.
The Pope yesterday inaugurat- ed the third year of the Ponti- fical Academy of Science.
More vigorous than usual, His Holiness spoke for three quar- ters of an hour on the theme of Christmas and the marvels of eternal science.-Reuter.
CALMING PARIS AND LONDON
of
Three thousand valuable curios, representing every branch Chinese art, will leave Hong Kong jon Friday for New York and Paris where they will be sold to collect funds for the relief of war victims in China. These objects were col- lected within three weeks by six Chinese women's organizations in Hong Kong. The total value of the collection exceeds $100,000.
Outstanding objects d'art exhibit- ed yesterday. were a Han bronze Berlin, To-day. vase, several pieces of Sung pot-
believe Political circles
that tery, a brass incense burner and a Mussolini's yesterday's speech in jade necklace of the Han dynasty, did and many fine paintings, porcelains, Carbonia on Sardinia which not touch on Italian foreign poli-bronzes, embroideries, ivory car- tical problems, was calculated to vings and other art productions of
the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. calm Paris and London.
The "Montagspost" points out that England and France had ex- pected the Duce to define the Ita- lian attitude in regard to Corsica.
pyrites, of which two-thirds came interests are drafting a memoran- Mussolini refrained from doing so from National Spain.
dum to submit to their respective in view of the discussions with the and the remaining world market is governments regarding the question British Premier to take place in unable to meet the demand. of the Suez Canal, it is understood January in Rome Trans-Ocean. Trans-Ocean,
U.S.-TURKISH TRADE TREATY
in business circles here,
The
memorandum will give
figures of Italian and German
traffic in the Canal, will set forth
technical facts and will criticise
ANTI-SEMITISM
VOLUNTEERS LEAVING SPAIN
Paris, To-day.
Some 250 members of the Inter- national Brigade, including 39 seri- ously wounded, and accompanied by 13 Red Cross nurses, have crossed Bucharest, To-day.
into France. A decree published by the Ru- Ankara, To-day. the high Canal dues.
Minister says. One hundred and ten were French, Italian and German shipping manian Financial A trade agreement based on the
Jewish innkeepers | 62 English, 31 North-Americans, 16
14 Belgians while the most favoured nation clause has circles recently considered the pos- that certain been signed between Turkey and sibility of taking the Cape route to have to close their inne while 770 Swiss,
T the East, but it was decided that concessions for the sale of tobacco mainder Dutch, Danes or Nor- U.S.
Payments are to be made by way this was only practicable for ships which were in Jewish hands, have wegians. All non-French will be also withdrawn. Trans- sent to their home country without Trans-travelling to and from Australia.— been of a clearing system.
Ocean.
| delay.—Trans-Ocean. Reuter.
Ocean.
re-