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FOUNDED 1981 No. 15768
EM W WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1939.
POISON GAS
JAPANESE POUR
KILLS THOUSANDS
ACROSS HAN RIVER
Biggest Battle Of Year Rages In Hupeh As Invaders Effect River Crossing: Ichang Endangered By New Move
USE GAS MASKS
War In Hainan TROOPS
Expensive
APAN'S INVASION
JAM
of
Hainan Island is costing
her dearly in men and
money.
сол-
Since the occupation of Hoihow, the japanoso ad- vanco into the interior has been slowed up considerably, and the invaders are stantly harassed by guerillas. On Monday alone, three hundred Japanese dead and wounded were brought into Holhow from the surround- ing countrysida.
Throughout the island, the peasants are flocking to join the Chinese guerrilla bands. Although most of thom arc wall-equipped,`. several hundred have had to take recourse to captured Japanese arms and ammuni- tion with which to fight. Central News.
AIR RAID HORROR
Planes Bring Death To Three Provinces
THREE--GH-I-N-E-S-E-
PROVINCES suffered heavily from Japanese air raids yesterday.
Mass air raids claimed hundreds of lives in two provin- cial capitals.
Ninghsia, capital of Ninghsin Province, suffered its greatest death roll in the entire war when
over a hundred heavy torpedo bombs, in addition to an equal number of light incendiary missiles of the type now on dis- play at the Peninsula Hotel were rained on the city.
A preliminary estimate of the casualties indientes that at least three hundred civilians were killed in the Xpproximately 480 bulldings were
city.
wrecked.
The casualties in Ningħala are the highest sustained in any Chin- ese elty since the disastrous raids
on Canton last year.
CONSTANT RAIDS
IN INFANTRY ATTACK
JAPANESE TROOPS ARE NOW POURING ACROSS THE HAN RIVER ALONG DOZENS OF PONTOON BRIDGES WHICH THEIR ENGIN- EERS HAVE CAPTURED.
The fall of Chungsiang, the strategic city on the western bank of the river, has paved the way for a Japanese advance on Ichang, the Yangtse River treaty port which, a thousand miles from the sea, lies just below the famous Yangtse rapids. 48 Hour Battle
A Chinese
communique now admits that Chungsiang has fallen, after two days' bitter fighting, in which the Japanese extensively employed artillery, aircraft and poison gas.
Sanyangtien, on the east bank of the Han River, is completely ablaze following the retirement of the Chinese forces and its occupation by the Japanese.
The Japanese are exerting extreme pressure at several points along the Han River, with Ichang obviously as their objective.
HEAVY CASUALTIES
Yangchiaho, on the Hankow-Ichang highway, has been the scene of some of the bitterest fighting of the entire war, with neither side giving quarter. Japanese and Chinese casu alties are extremely high.
Franco holds the largest and most Important city in Spain. The second and third largest, however, are still in Repubilean hands. Below are the principat places held by the two forces-
FRANCO
Barcelona
Seville
Mulagn
Saragossa
Bilbao
.1.060,504 Madrid
235,762 Valencia 188.000 Murela
162,121 Carlagena 161,287 Alicante
GOVERNMENT
1,014,704
341,322
173,087
00.981
73,071
The figures are the peace-time populations from the last census.
AMERICA
AND THE DICTATOR POWERS
Franco To Start Drive Roosevelt Opposes On Republican Capital
ST. JEAN DE LUZ, Mar. 7. GENERAL FRANCO has decided to attack in the Madrid sector, according to reports from Burgos.
General Franco is said to be counting on a decisive mili- tary victory.
According to these reports. the altitude of the Franco Government is very reserved regarding events in Madrid. as it is felt that the attitude of the National Defence Council is not clear.
It is pointed out that the promise by General Cando that Dr. Negrin's principal followers would not be allowed to escape has not been put into effect.
Reports of serious Communist dis orders in Madrid are also confirmed by Burgos, where it is stated that vigorous rifle and machine gun re city from was heard! within the General Franco's front at University
It is also stated that serious dis orders occurred at Cuenca, Albacete
The Japanese are rushing up heavy reinforcements to the Tienmen sector. Chinese headquarters reiterate that the Japanese advance has been made unddu La Jaru. possible only by the employment of poison gas which, it is claimed, was
in considerable quantities during the attack on Chung siang. BAYONET CHARGE_THROUGH GAS
released
The view held in Burgos is that; the Madrid Defence Council is not by any means is complete control of Republican territory-Reuter,
LEADERS FLEE
Others were General Hidalgo de
the Anarchists Division-Rester.
"ALL END SOON"
Madrid, Mar. 7.
Neutrality Act
WASHINGTON,
Mar. 8. OPPOSITION TO, the Neutrality Act was voiced President Roosevelt
by
for the first time to-day.
At the weekly Press Con- Cisneros, chief of the air force, and ference at the White House, General Enrico Lister, commander of the President told news. was of papermen that he the opinion that the Act had General Miaja, appealing for order not served the cause of during the short-lived Communist peace.
On the contrary, said the revolt here to-day, declared:
"We don't want to shed more use-President, it may have en- less blood, and all who fought couraged some nations to make with you desire, is to give you,
threats of war. peuce. If common sense returns to all of us, I assure you that it will all | end soon."
The revolt was centred in the quarter of Cuatro working-class Caminos, and on the site of the old Hippodrome buliding.
Sume. rifle shots were heard this morning, but by the afternoon all was quiet. Reuter.
The President opposed the Lud- low amendment to the Neutrality Act, which seeks to make it neces- Bary for a referendum of the people to be held before the United States Dould make a declaration of war. A representative form of Govern- ment, declared the Presdent,, should apply to a war situation as well as to any other line of action.
"QUASI" WARS
"A situation is quite possible, in which the defences or vital Interests of the United States could be wreck- ed by a 'quasi war'", declared Mr. Roosevelt
WARSHIPS INTERNED
Tunis, Mar. 7. Detachments of French police and naval offelals boarded the Spanish republican warships which have been Toulouse, Mar. 7. interned.
The President' would not say General Juan Modesto, commander
It is expected that the ships will whether he favoured the repeal of "The three Tamous Spanish Republican
leaders who arrived by ulr to-day.
Wave after wave of Japanese infantry, with the gas masks over their heads giving them a grostesque appearance, stormed-the-city-through-the-clouds of the army of the Ebre, was among be disarmed before they are allowed of poisonous fumes.
Japanese
At least two thousand of the Chinese defenders of the city fell victims to the gas, it is claimed. losses were over 1,000 dead. -
While the Japanese drive in Hupeh Province definitely menaces Ichang, and at the same time threatens to isolate a wide area in the Yangtse "elbow" where the
EIRE DAIL VOTES ON PUBLIC SAFETY ACT
DUBLIN, Mar. 7. THE DAIL TO-DAY
river reaches its southernmost area at Tungting Lake, passed by 78 votes to 12 the Death Penalty
the Chinese forces appear to be meeting with considerable successes on other fronts. YoChow ISOLATED
South of the Yangtse, Yochow has been isolated by the sever- ing of the Canton-Hankow Rail- way between Tungting Lake and Wuchang.
second reading of the Offences Against the State
western Shansi. Five hundred Jap-Bill. anese lost their lives when they were surrounded, in Kucheng.
The Bill, which is based GARRISON MASSACRED on the old Public Safety Act, The complete massnere of the is designed to deal with Japanese garrison at Staokan is re- the Irish Republican Army, ported, following the revolt of the
"Peace Preservation Corps" set up Labour, with three Independ- by the invaders when this centre was The Japanese attempt to storm the captured last November. The Chin-ents, constituted the minority. Lushan Mountains, atop of which 46 ese were given arms instead of batons Forty-six members abstained foreigners are taking refuge in an Inst week, and turned their new from voting. American hospital from a constant weapons on Qeir "advisery" tast hail of bombs which threaten tonight.
Mr. Rutledge, the Minister of The position in South China is Justice, said thai the Government Sian, capital of Shensi Province, completely destroy Kuling, has been; was raided by fourteen bombers, brought to a complete standstill. The quiet, and there has been no fighting had evidence to show that a silun which were escorted by an equal 10,000 guerillas on the slopes of the along either of the four rivers. The tion existed in the country, which, number of pursuit planes, This un-mountains are still in an impregnable Japanese in these areas have been not dealt with, could becbrae seri-
occupied mainly will strengthening portant city is the focal point in position, China's "fe-line" to Soviet Russia.
defences. Central
News, Ous. Further north, the Chinese guerillas their
and United Press messages.
In Kansu province, the Japanese have recaptured Kucheng and Hei-Domel, Trans-Ocean. raiders created havoc in Pingliang, junglewan, two important cities in
(Continued on Page 4.)
70 CHINESE DIVISIONS FLUNG INTO BATTLE
SHANGHAI, Mar. 7.
A JAPANESE SPOKESMAN, commenting on the present major operations of the Japanese troops in northern and cen- trai Chira, declared that the Japanese are now fighting some 70 Chinese divisions, or roughly 300,000 men in the first and fourth Chinese war zones, south of the Lunghal and west of the Pelping-Hankow railways.
After the capture of Anlu, the Chinese lost 0,000 men from Japanese forces, with their base at February 24 to March: 5.
Stock Market Very Bright
People (referring to the LRA) who issued proclimations were not play acting.
They had arms and wor material, und were training and organising.—— Reuter Special,
Relations With Moslems
Tokyo, Mar. B.
Possible
AFTER a reign by terror by the Public Safety gunmen. Act was passed by the Cosgrave Government in October, 1931. Among a provisions were: Death penalty for terrorists and traitors;
Power to hold treason trials in secret;
Banning of several organlas- tions including the IRA.
Conferring of extraordinary powers on the police; and
Setting up of the Military Tribunal, consisting of five high army officers,
The Act was suspended in March, 1932, but was again invoked in 1923 by the Do Valers Government to deal with the Blueshirt National Guard
General movement, led by O'Duffy..
The Act ceased to operate with the coming lato force of the new Elro Constitution at the end of 1937.
to enter Bizerba harbour,
It is now stated that the Republican fleet consists of 12 warships.
the Neutrality Act.
The question is not on the carpet to-day," he said.
Growing opinion in favour of the
(Continued on Page .4.)
All local doctors have been requisi-President's alignment with democra tioned, and strong mobile guards have been brought to Bizerta from Tunis.
Filly naval ameers and other ranks from Cartagena arrived at Oran lo- doy in six vessels. Reuter, MADRID QUIET
Madrid, Mar. 7. "Reuter's" correspondent, touring the city late this afternoon, states that the streets were patrolled by the military and that all was quiet within the city..
Communists who bad been barricaded in two buildings sur- rendered-Reuter.
LATEST
"Skies Cleared"
OTTAWA, Mar. & In Hocao. of Commons spooch Premier revealed nows he received from Europe so, serious ho called in Connervative opposition leader with Manton
him order acquaint ARMISTICE PARLEYS
maitors ho (Premier) unable lay before Parliament. This was nix weeks ago. Paris, Mur. 7.
"Bince then. I have received other The belief that negotiations for and despatches, perhaps a little less serious, armistice in Spain, have already but nevertheless of character to cause begun, is expressed in well-informed Government to view with grave concern French clrcles.
mutters and happenings in other parts The Defence junta Ini Madrid is re- of world,
am happy to say, more particularly ported to have in mind an armistice leading to a complete settlement in last day or two, skies seem to have
cleared very within a fortnight or three weeks.
Special. At the same time, the junta is asking for assurances for the safety of persons "implicated", particularly an opportunity for them to leave Spain-Reuter.
RADIO SILENCED
considerably."--Reuter
Czechs Lose Gold
LONDON, Mar. -Unofficially ported by Times" Prague correspon dent that Crech Gort. haï had tu accept
demand German
for delivery to Burgos, Mar. 7. Discord in Madrid is increasing sc- Relcksbank amount of gold, from Czech cording to the latest information Bank: proportionate to number of in- avallable. The radio became sud- habitants in territory code to
many-about 23% of total. Bank been denly sllent after having unceusingly ordered by Czech Govt. to make dest broadcast anti-Communist appeals delivery £2,500,000. to Berlin, Hungary, throughout the morning, which were Poland may follow Germany's example,
(Continued on Page 4.)
damand share of Czech gold-Reuter,
REALTY AND TRUST COMPANY MEETING"
Shareholder Questions
Lido Investments
Ger-
Japanese Capture Fowning
Hsuchow, Mar. 8., Japanese vanguards captured a section of the caitle of Fowning, strategically important town about 45 miles cast of Hwalyin in cartern Kiangsu, at 4 pm, on Tuesday after-
Units of Japanese troops are
noon.
directions-Domel,
London, Mer, 7. Belter unemployment figures, to- gather with the prospect of an early termination of the Spanish hostilities resulted in generally brighter mar- kets on the London Stock Exchange to-day
Gold and diamond minings were supported, while gilt-edged holdings An interpellator anked In the and European securities were also House of Representatives on Tuesday better, and shippings advanced later whether Japan's refusal to recognize
A STRONG DEMAND that Interest on bank overdrafts In the day,
Mohammedanian officially hampered paying for the construction of the Lido and the general ventures rapidly converging on the town from generally steady.
enemmodities were featureless, but development of friendly relations of the Company at Repaise Bay should be taken out of profits various Hankow, are particularly, active and The, Japanese air force was · ca- | On the foreign exchanges, the between Japan and Saudi Arabia. of those concerns rather than from the general Income from advancing in the direction of Suhsen, pecially active on Monday, carrying French Finance Minister's favourable Foreign Powers which have con- Investments, was made by Mr. N. V. A. Croucher at the annual thereby threatening the right flank out several large-scale bombing raids, survey of the country's economie cluded treaties of amity with Saudi meeting of the Hongkong Realty and Trust Company, Ltd. in of the Chinese forces who are sald including raids on the Chinese base position induced bidding for france, Arabia Included Great Britain, the Exchange Building this morning. ---- to be retreating in.
north-west-at Ninghela in Yonan,, north-weat and while the spot rate was con- Soviet Union, Italy Arable, - Iran,
China, wardly direction.
trolled, the rate for delivery', in Turkey, Iraq, and Netherlands, nc- Mr. Croucher salda subsidiary Fleming (Chairman), E, M, Raymond, Between Halchow and Hsuchow, Thirty planes attacked the milltary month's time finished at par com- cording to the spokesman who added company should be formed of this PK. Kwok, Hon Sir Shouson Chow seven Chinese divisions are attempt academy at Yenan, and more than 20 pared with the 44 centimes discount that the Japanese Consul at Cairo, venture but the Chairman said hirearce and J. Taggart (Dot- Ing to check the Japanese advance in planes dropped bombs un military yesterday.
Mr. Yokohama, would shortly be personal opinion was that the time ectors), NV A. Croucher, J. Jestablishments north Kiangsu,
and barracks at Wall Street was
firm-Reuter sent to Saudi Arable to make in- for such a course was not yet and H. Suckingmukm
wall, L. Jack A Eco, W. C. Clark The Japanese claim that the Ninghsia-Trans-Ocean:
quiries Domain
There were present: Messrs, JA VIRUMAAY Continuation Pace 12)
·Special
Son, Back" Page: For.
Further Late News
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