1938-10-25 — Page 9

THE CHINA-MAIL, OCTOBER 25, 19.

Fare

JAPANESE CLOSING IN ON WUHAN CITIES Chinese Prepare To Make Stand At Kotien Mechanised Unit Claims Entry Into Hwangpei

Shanghai, To-day.

Both the Japanese army and Navy forces struck at Hankow with lightning speed yesterday as an armoured car unit reached Hwangpei, 32 kilo- metres north of the Wuhan cities, and warships on the Yangtse advanced to the vicinity of Ko- kiatien, about 33 kilometres in a straight line east, according to Japanese army reports. Despatches from the various fronts and the military

authorities in Tokyo claimed that the fall of Hankow is "imminent," as the Japanese com- manders reported the broad pincer movement being tightened both north and south of the Yangtse, and that the land forces and naval units are within striking distance of the Wu- han area.

Pilots of reconnaissance planes$1,250,000 million inhabitants in the reported that a light armoured three Wuhan cities, only 400,000 car unit occupied Hwangpei at remain.

about 3.45 yesterday afternoon, All Government offices have re- according to a communique issued moved to Chungking, the new seat by headquarters of the Japanese of the,National Government. expeditionary force in Central China. Reuter.

JAPAN READY TO FIGHT

DECISIVE BATTLE

Shanghai, To-day.

TROOP MOVEMENTS

The general entrusted with de- fence of the Hankow area stated that though there have been consi- derable troop movements near the In an interview, the Japanese city, this did not necessarily mean Commander in Chief in Central a retreat. China, General Hata, said that the He admitted that the Japanese Japanese army was prepared to fight have passed Ocheng, on the south a decisive battle at Hankow.

bank of the Yangtse, and are now within firing distance of Kotien. General Hata added, however,

Reuter. that he believed that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's crack divisions would be withdrawn further into

hostilities.

When Mr. Alex Henshaw, the 24 year old racing pilot was giv- ing a final test on October 10, to the tiny Mew Gull plane in which he hopes to break the Cape and back record, the machine shot earth- wards at Gravesend aerodrome with dense smoke pouring from the exhaust. The machine, which is the fastest small plane in the world, has now been overhauled and ready for the start. Putting final overhauling tests to the Mew Gull at Gravesend. (Copyright: By Air Mail).

CHUNGKING STUNNED BY CANTON'S FALL Chungking, To-day:

The population here is still stunnened at the news of the loss of. Canton.

500

JAPANESE KNEW EXACTLY WHERE SANDPIPER WAS

London, To-day.

That the British Ambassador in China is endeavouring at the pre-

The question on everyone's lips. to-day is "What comes next?"

Even schoolchildren have been sent time to mediate between affected by the news, some asking China and Japan for the purpose their teachers to address them and of negotiating of an armistice was NEARING FINAL STAGE-

explain how the loss of Canton Hankow, To-day.

came about.

denied yesterday afternoon by the the interior of China and that this Wuhan cities is nearing the final mass meeting yesterday at which clared that no such an attempt has

Fighting for the possession of the

The Guild of Cantonese held a British Foreign Office which de would necessitate a continuation of

stage.

Cantonese were present. Field dispatches received here Among those who attended the been made, General Hata attributed the re-admit the evacuation of Ocheng, apmeeting were many well-known latively slow progress achieved by proximately 70 nautical miles from Cantonese. the Japanese during the past few Hankow, by Chinese troops yester- weeks to the tremendous difficulties day morning after severe fighting. offered by the terrain.

The Japanese made a fresh thrust.

One told Reuter that the speak Asked whether Japan was in a on the town with the aid of heavy ers, with tears running down their position to risk a war with the artillery and bombing planes. The faces, urged their fellow-Cantonese Soviet Union, General Hata repli-Chinese were forced to withdraw to unite in relief, work for Canton ed that Japan would not hesitate to after all their defences had crumbled refugees, and to resist the Japan- take up the gauntlet against any under the enemy's terrific bombard-ese invaders. mation including the Soviet-Union-ment.

if this should be necessary to pro- The Chinese are now guarding a tect Japanese rights and interests. new line between Ocheng and Ko- He added that the Soviet assertions tien, about 20 miles from Hankow, regarding the strength of the Soviet where the defences are said to be Far Eastern Army were not to be strong. accepted at their face value.

IN TEARS

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The first official reports on the situation in Canton were received by the British Government yester- day, it is reported.

According thereto the fire which is raging in the city is not now menacing the foreign concessions on Shameen.

1

Reports that the British customs. office has been destroyed are denied but it is admitted that the Post Office has been damaged,

Among other things it was ar- ranged that a committee for forma tion of refugee camps be set up, It is officially announced that the which would be responsible for British naval authorities in Shang- raising the necessary funds among hai have protested against the at- Cantonese living in Chungking, all tack on the British gunboat Sand- over China and overseas. Reuter piper.

The: Japanese forces driving General Hata concluded by say-southward from Shawo in south-

British circles are of the opinion ing that a European conflict could eastern Honan are reported to have

that the incident could easily have not have influenced the Japanese reached the outskirts of Macheng,

tion there is firm.

been avoided as the Japanese au- military operations in China. Important town in northeast Hupeh

The Japanese troops pushing thorities have been informed of Trans-Ocean.

near the Honan border. A sanguin-Westward from the Peiping-Hankow every movement of the units of the

Railway are checked at Hwangtuk British Navy In Chineşe waters.- wan to the west of Wushengkwan Trans-Ocean, Pass.-Central News.

ary battle is imminent.

Tayeh and about 20 kilometres east

three cities,

STAND AT KOTIEN

Hankow, To-day.

15 MILES FROM RAILWAY. The Chinese troops are preparing A Japanese unit which forced its to make a desperate stand against way from Yangsin to Kinniuchen,

JAPANESE ALLEGATIONS the Japanese at Kotfen, 20 milesja small town 30 kilometres west of down river.

Hankow, To-day. Referring to the evacuation of All day, endless streams of people of the Canton-Hankow" Railway of a general retreat of Chinese this was motivated purely for the Discrediting Japanese allegations civilians, General Kuo said that flowed out of the city seeking shel- south of Hankow is encountering troops in the Wuhan area, General safety of non-combatants. As the ter elsewhere.

strong Chinese resistance. Crack Kuo Chan, Acting Garrison Com-sphere of war is spreading to the This continued exodus is surpris. Chinese troops have been rushed up mander of the Wuhan cities, in an outskirts of the three cities, it is ing in view of the Mayor's state to prevent them from breaking interview with the Central News imperative that all civilians not ment that civilians were being through and cutting the vital com- Agency yesterday stated that the directit connected with the evacuated throughout the past munication line:

de week in order to facilitate military. According to a telephone message days have been carried on as final ares in order to avoid unnecessary, troop movements in the pain few fence of Wuhan should leave the operations, and that out of the from the front, the Chinese posi-preparations for the defence he sacrifices Central News