1938-10-19 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 19, 1938.

IMPETUS OUT OF

JAPANESE

DRIVE

Chinese Official Reports Reveal Much Improved Outlook

Canton, To-day.

During the first interview given to any correspondent since the outbreak of the present.phase of hostilities, the military authorities informed Reuter that there is no change in the situation in the Waichow area. They affirm that the Japanese main body is consolidating its position there.

awaiting reinforcements preparatory to driving on Canton

The spokesman said the Chinese military were confident of their ability to hold the invaders, and confirmed reports that the next develop- ment would be a major engagement on⠀ this

front. Reuter.

CHINESE OFFICIAL

REPORTS

Canton, To-day. Chinese official circles to-dar denied rumours of the fall of Poklo and of the Japanese cutting of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.

the bridge at Wuchun. News.

Central

JAPANESE FEELING OUT NORTHERN APPROACH

Canton, To-day. While a mobile column of the Japanese troops is showly converg- ing..on

the Tsengshing to They declared that these rumours

Haien, were purposely created by rumour-north-west of Pok-lo

Japanese detachment is Lone mongers in Hong Kong and are

reported to be striking, out north entirely groundless.

towards Lungmoon, with the ap The Japanese troops driving west-

Ingest parent object of outflanking the ward from Waichow are have been halted between Poklo and Chinese soldiers manning the Waichow. Only isolated units of fence lines around Tsengshing, and the Japanese vanguards are creat-then riving down the highway to

Tsungfa. ing disturbances to the west southwest of Poklo.

and

It is claimed that about 300 Ja panese who appeared. at Suchun, southwest of Poklo, yesterday were repulsed by a Chinese regiment guarding the point, and it is stated that there are only small batches of Japanese at Tuchun to the west of Poklo.

It is understood, that strong de- fences have been built between Poklo and Tsengshing.

de

The Japanese,. it is stated, have been halted some: distance from Tsengshing.

Meanwhile the troops advancing on Sheklung from the east are en- countering stiffening resistance.

Our Own Correspondent.

MILITARY INGENUITY

Canton, To-day, The Chinese military showed con- siderable ingenuity yesterday in requisitioning Canton's entire hire. car fleet.

CHEUNGMUKTAU INCIDENT

Agents hired the vehicles, which It is admitted that about thirty were ordered to headquarters, Japanese plainclothes-men appeared whereupon the gates were closed at Cheungmuktau on the Canton- and the drivers dismissed. Kowloon Railway on October 17 but Reuter. they were immediately driven away.

The railway bridge at Sheklung on the same railway has been dyna- mited by the Chinese troops as a precautionary measure against the Japanese.

According to foreign consulates, the bombings of Japanese planes in the present invasion of Kwangtung have been severest since the out- break of the Sino-Japanese hostili- ties. They attribute the Japanese rapid advance from Bias Bay to Waichow to their terrific aerial bom-

bardment, pagal dataset

LUNGKONG ATTACK

RENEWED (From Our Own Correspondent)

Canton, To-day. According to reliable vernacular reports received here this morning, fighting is developing at Lungkong, for the last few days. a lull having prevailed in that area

•

- The Japanese forces had ceased to attack some days ago but are. now attempting to reach the Canton-Kowloon Line at Ping Wu,

Our Own Correspondent.

JAPANESE REPORT MASS AIR RAIDS.

Japanese reports claim that an Japanese planes continued their advance party of mobile troops mass raids over Kwangtung yes reached a point five miles east of terday. Altogether fifty-nine planes Taengshing at four o'clock yester participated in the bombings. The day afternoon and refer to a clash loop line at Whampoa was heavily with Chinese troops south of the bombed.

West River about 20 miles east of Sheklung.

The air raid alarm was sounded in n Canton at 7.15, a.m. and

"all clear" signal given at 5.10 pm

To impede the Japanese advance along the Walchow-Cher highway the Chinese "have

*BITTER FIGHTING NEAR

POR LO

Hankow, To-day, Bitter fighting is progressing. in the neigbour of Pok Lo

about 75 miles east of Canton," on the Walchow-Canton high- way, according to an official të- legram from Chungking.

The telegram states that the Japanese attacked Hsintosotang yesterday ~ but were repulsed after several hours of san- guinary fighting.

It is estimated that over 3,000 Japanese were killed in the battle for Walchow, which fell to the Japanese on Satur- day.

CANTON

RECEIVES FIGHTING

PLANES

Canton, To-day. Press reports that a number

of Japanese planes have been shot down in variou

ious parts of Kwangtung Province, are not confirmed officially, though it is confirmed that at least one Japanese bomber was brought down at Poklo.

It is reported also that several squadrons of Chinese pursuit planes have arrived in South China and are engaging Japanese raiders. Reuter.

At the annual meeting of the Canadian Chinese Club, the follow- ing officers were elected for year Japanese naval planes dur-1938-1939. President, Lee Y Tong ing the whole week-end bomb- ed the East River district in flicting heavy civilian casual- ties-Reuter.^

Vice President, Mrs. G. G Lee," Secretary, QP. Lee, Treasurer Stanley Fong Business Manager, George Chow.

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