MIRS BAY CUSTOMS OCCUPIED DURING NIGHT
All Staff Arrive Safely At Shataukok
TAIPO FERRY POLICE RUSH
AMBASSADOR'S
STIRRING
APPEAL
London, To-day.
of the British China Relief Fund, recently received the following cable from Sir Archibald Clark- Kerr, British Ambassador to China.
STOPPED
JAPANESE TROOPS WERE EXPECTED TO
CONTINGENTS
REACH THE BRITISH BORDER THIS
BORDER THIS TO BORDER
AFTERNOON.
No British troops have yet been
as a precautionary
Dr. Gordon Thompson, secretary During the night, they reached the Chinese Customs sent to the border, as would nor
Station at Shatau, four miles to the east of Sha-mally be done a taukok, the staff of the Customs having fled to measure, owing to the coincidence British territory a few hours earlier.
of the imminence of the arrival of Imminence of this development had been indicated
Japanese troops and Combined Operations. earlier by the Japanese capture of Sha-Ng- chung, the terminus of the ferryboat which plies across Mirs Bay to Taipo.
"The journey I am now taking
in central and western China shows me that the problem of providing for refugees remains as acuté as ever.
"In the face of the Japanese advance numberless people have abandoned their homes and taken to the roads in conditions of great distress.
WITHOUT PRECEDENT
"The Chinese Government and] private citizens are doing all pos- sible to alleviate their misery but it is of such magnitude and difficulty as is without precedent.
"The Chinese are deeply appre- ciative of your efforts and they do not ask for more.
""The local committees of your fund are doing work can only describe as admirable but I my- self have seen sights which im- pel me to urge you to continue your efforts unabated.
"A fresh appeal to our country- men cannot be unavailable." Reuter.
ROADS ALMOST IMPASSABLE
At 3.30 p.m. to-day, the roads in the New Territories were almost dangerous for motor traffic, and very near to impassable.
"We had to travel for more than eight miles in second gear weaving our way through the long lines of refugees," said a "China Mail" re-. porter, telephoning.
They are going in both direc- tions, adding to complications, Ap- parently, those who come from vil- lages in the Shumchun area close to the border are trying to get had left behind. Many of the re- back again to fetch property they fugees are driving livestock in front of them and the buffaloes, unaccustomed to motor traffic, are inclined to get frantic when cars appear on the road.
Growing British Exasperation
London, To-day.
tively informed that the position
The "China Mail" is authorita-
+
is now being considered by HE. Little resistance is being en- G.S.0.1 and that a decision will the G.O.C. and Colonel Irwin, [countered, but many villages are be taken later in the day as to burning as the Japanese are fol- whether the despatch of troops is lowing out a policy of destruction necessary. as soon as the slightest resistance is encountered.
In the meantime, a mixed con- Several wounded Chinese soldiers missioner of Police to reinforce tingent has been sent by the Com- have reached the border and
the police posts on the border, rumours were current that the particularly at Shataukok, and Japanese had reached the Kowloon-other police contingents, of some Canton Line a few miles north of strength, are under stand-by. Shumchun.
These reports were, however, border immediately and emer- orders ready to proceed to the denied officially this morning.
gency seems likely to develop. All the staff of the Chinese Mari-
Later. time Customs at Shatau have safe-have been sent to the New Ter- Further police reinforcements ly reached Shataukok.
STAFF SAFE
ritories and it is understood that The ferry boat plying between the military authorities are pro- Taipo and Sha Ng Chung departed posing to despatch troops to yesterday morning for Sha Ng morrow morning.
:
Chung but did not reach its dés- tination, been forced to return by the occupation of that town by the Japanese.
The operations are being carried JAPAN'S
out by a large force of Japanese troops which landed at Taipung- shing and Lungkel on the south- west shore of Bias Bay, as report- ed in the "China Mail" yesterday.
INTRANSIGENT
-Messages received this morning ATTITUDE
state that the Japanese troops are overrunning country in that area, razing every village where resis- tance, however weak, is encounter- ed.
VILLAGES BURNING
British circles interested in the China trade are be- Numerous villages are still burn- ginning to express exasperation at the Japan-ing furiously, including the small ese delay in fulfilling undertakings to restore fishing villages, Taipungshing and normal shipping movements on the Yangtse as soon as the military situation permitted, Reu-pungshing made ter learns.
Lungkei.
The Japanese column from Tai- contact with troops advancing southwesterly from Tamshui. yesterday morning, and occupied Kwaichung and Sha
The Japanese are now steadily advancing along the highway along the shore of Mira Bay towards Shataukok.
The complainants point out that Hankow was cap-Ng Chung.
tured long ago and the hostilities have now moved some 200 miles up river.
CAVALRY AT WONGKONG
This afternoon information was received at Shatankok stating that the Japanese may' reach the Can- ton-Kowloon Line from the East to-night.
A Japanese cavalry unit appear- ed this afternoon at Wongkong, a small town, six miles north of the British border at Shataukok and only five miles east of the Canton- Kowloon Line-
Gun-dre is occassionally audible
hero.
They are now only 4 miles east of the British border:
For many weeks past the Jap- anese have been advertising sail ings of Japanese vessels on the Another Japanese detachment Yangtse, carrying both freight which advanced from Tamshui" and passengers. To say t
1
7
18
reported, to be in occupation of It is further asserted that in Canton-Kowloon Lina
Pingshan, also driving towards the spite of Japanese assurances, not
at Pingwu. All roads leading to the Britlah
other nationals,
:
to interfere with the rights and border from the Bias Bay and Mirs interests of Japan is placing impediments in Bay areas are thronged, with
Tokyo, To-day. Under banner headings, the Ja- panese newspapers this morning feature yesterday's interview be-- tween Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita, the Japanese Foreign Min- ister, which it is stated, lasted an hour and a half.
In apparently inspired accounts, the newspapers say that Mr. Ari- ta explained Japan's fundamental policy, and attitude in connection with foreign interests in China and bassador "an accurate understand- attempted to give the British Am-
ing of Japan's intention." The newspaper quote observers as ex- pressing the opinion that it is most difficult for Japan to comprehend the British attitude.
be
They also, state observers lieve that "various Anglo-Japanese problems connected with British interests in China will be gradual- ly solved if Britain really under- stands the spirit of Japan's reply to the Note from the Powers re- garding the re-opening of the Yangtazo and realf is the actual situation. Reuter.
Mrs. Loughlin, of No. 7 Lincoln re-Road, has reported that her house
the way of foreign trade in other ugees fleeing from the Japanese. was entered and a clock to the value parts of China.
Many are reported to be lying on of $48 stolen some times yesterday. road sides, completely exhausted by where there is not even the ex--North of Canton, Japanese
Notable example is Tientsin, walking and hunger.
Mrs. Murray, of No. 6B, Nathan Road, has informed the police – that justify the action. --- Router. cuse of military operations to craft are bombing the Chinese posi- Roof
air-wille dancing in the Peninsula Hotel Itions.
lost
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.