1938-07-18 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 18, 1988.

Page

CONCRETE BARRIER ROUND HANKOW BRITISH CONCESSION Generalissimo Optimistic Of City's Defence

Naval Authorities

Reticent About Protection Plans

ORDER OF

BELGIAN

ARROW FOR GOERING

Burgos, To-day.

The insurgent Cabinet has be stowed on General Goering the title of Grand Knight of the Or der of the Arrow.

Count Ciano has been created a Knight of the Order of Isabella. the Catholic-Reuter.

Hankow, To-day. Despite Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's strong confidence, revealed during an interview with Reuter, that the City of Hankow would not fall into the hands of the Japanese, Hankow is pre- paring for a possible Chinese withdrawal. The Generalissimo's optimism is not shared by the TERRIFIC

rest of the populace, including Chinese Civil BOMBARDMENT OF and Military leaders, in whose opinion Hankow must ultimately fall.

KIUKIANG

Kiukiang, To-day. Kiukiang was subjected to

One thing, however, seems certain that is that the Chinese will put up a determined fight in the vicinity. Already well equipped troops are consecutive days of terrific air taking up their positions both on the north and tardment by Japanese planes the south banks of the Yangtse and in the Nan-Saturday and Sunday, causing chang sector.

Opinions differ regarding the probable direction of the main Ja-

TEMPORARY MEASURE

two.

POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES

Brussels, To-day.

"The relations between the Gov- ernment and Parliament will have to be regulated anew and the demo- cratic system of government reform- ed," stated the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Paul Spaak, ad- dressing the Members of his own Political Party, the Belgian Social Democrats, at Berchem near Ant- werp yesterday afternoon.

+

M. Spaak declared that all

the Cabinet Members were agreed on the carrying out the government's programme, but the government. could not depend on a stable ma- jority in Parliament. Therefore, the Parliamentary methods of work overhauled in

bom-would have to be

on

October, next.

retained, but the methods of opera-

"The present principle could be

large number of civilian deaths and tion would have to be revised, injuries.

"Until October, said M. Spaak," the Cabinet would not go away on holiday"

panese offensive, there being three In this event British sailors

Large numbers of buildings in alternatives: First, a straight drive would be landed from the gunboats Kiukiang, as a result of the repeat- up the river from Kiukiang; se- and be re-inforced by certain num-ed air attacks, were damaged and cond, an encircling movement bers of sailors from Hong Kong, many levelled to the ground. northward of the river; third, a although this again lacks the official Central News.. drive south to Nanchang and then British confirmation. If these steps to a point on the railway between are taken they will be purely a Hankow and Changsha

temporary measure for the protec-

but that new van

After reviewing the work of the Cabinet, heretofore, the Prime Minister emphasised that despite Budget deficit, the financial situa- tion gave no cause for uneasiness, would have to be borne next if the crisis It is pointed out that although tion of British property.

continued. As regards Foreign the shorter distance is up the river

Attempting yesterday to board a Policy, M. Spaak said the position. from Kiukiang, it is also the most

The second scheme under dis-

moving bus, near the Chinese Bath-of independence and equilibrium difficult, owing to the effective daily cussion is a safety-zone proposed by ing Club, Chan Hon-sai received established in 1936, 1987 and 1938, bombing raids by the Chinese air-an International Committee con- injuries to the head and face when remained unchanged. The govern- sisting of foreign missionaries and he was thrown to the ground. He ment wanted to live on good terms business men. This would involve was admitted to the Queen Mary with all the neighbours.- the other ex-Concession areas, plus Hospital. specified zones adjacent to these areas, and it is believed that the number of Chinese refugees which could be accommodated in these sa- fety-zones would be about 400,000 and possibly more.

craft.

SERIES OF SUCCESSES:

Independent reports confirm the definite series of successes for the Chinese Air Force against the Ja- panese ships in the Yangtse. This is an important factor in the de- fence of Hankow.

CHINA'S CO-OPERATION

The foreign residents who totál about 1,200 realise that they mayj have a grim period before then, followed possibly by months of adoption, necessitates the agreement The scheme, for its successful isolation from the outside world. Large stocks of imported sup move all military establishments of the Chinese authorities to re- plies are being accumulated at from the areas described as safety- the time when the prices of such supplies are doubled.

the

zones and cease their use for transit and stationing of troops. The - Many of the foreigners who have sent their families to Hong Kong Chinese authorities are being for are in a dilemma as they find that mally approached by the Commit- they cannot remit funds from Han- tee with regards to this end. —

| Reuter.

kow.

PARALLEL SCHEMES

There are two parallel schemes under way for the protection of the

foreigners and the civilians, should

the hostilities: extend

to

Hankow

LULL IN SOUTH ANHWEI

Yingshan, Anhwei, Tó-day.

- Under the first of these, the ex- Japanese activities.

south

ment of supplies and munitions.

No major engagement has occur-

along the front.

British Concession, known now as Anhwei, checked after the fall of the Special Administrative District, Chienshan, are confined to the ship- No. 8, la being separated from the adjoining areas by concrete posts and" "strong"iron gates, which are now nearing completion. It is the generally accepted belief locally, al- During their attacks last week, it though the British Naval authori- is estimated, the Invaders suffered ties are reticent, that these gates a large number of casualties. Coun- will be manned by British Blue-ter-attacking, the Chinese later stag- jackets, in order to protect the dis-ed a series of raids on Hushihyen trict from becoming involved in and gained considerable ground. the hostilities, if the occasion arises. Central News.

Ocean.

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