1938-10-21 — Page 1

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."..

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