1939-06-01 — Page 9

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HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

CHINA WAR NEWS

NEW FEATURE BEGINS

CABLES

THURSDAY, JUNE 1939, -PAGE 9

JAPANESE TROOPS FORCED HONGKONG PERSONALITY TORETREAT. CHINESE DRIVE INTRODUCED

\CHUNGKING, May 31 (Renter)—Japanese troops. have been - forced to retreat nearly 200 miles · north of the Hupeh Front........ according to Gen. Feng Yu-hsiang, who is Vice-chairman of the Supreme War Council.

Gen, Feng stated that the Japanese had suffered 25,000 casualties on this front. Chinese military authorities estimate the total Japanese casualties to date at $70,000.

Gen. Feng asserted that the Heavy, fighting has been in pro- Japanese estimates of the Chinese | gress on the Tienmen-Yokow high- casualties at 2,300,000 are grossly way... Futile attempts have been exaggerated.

made by the Japanese to wrest

Gen. Feng expressed himself as back Yokow, on the Han River being highly satisfied with the dis-about 70 miles above Hankow and cipline and morale of the new 28 miles southwest of Tienmen. Chinese recruits,

Now Strategy CHUNGKING: May 31 (Central) -Grent significance is attached by military observers to the Chinese success in Northern Hupeh.

A Japanese unit is assaulting Talenklang on the south bank of the Han River, southwest of Yokow. A seesaw battle is raging outside the city.

CAPT, R. W. THOMAS

"CAPPY THOMAS”--such is the nickname his many friends on the "Kowloon piers and in the Colony, selected long ago for. Captain W. H. Thomas, port-captain of the American President Line.

11

It was in 1875, in the city of Bangor, Carnarvonshire, North Wales when "Cappy Thomas" first saw the light of day. Child- hood memories are crowded with events involving his parents, a brother and two, sisters,

turned very interesting: the pro- At fourteen years of age life

fession of chemist, selected. by his father was ruled out and the young man went to sea under the command of Captain Davies. His job of mess boy soon turned into that of seaman, and it wa3 then his parents realized that their son was headed for a career.

Some 600 Japanese troops sup- The success is attributed to the ported by several field guns are employment of the new strategy by meanwhile attacking the Chinese of "sea and ships" the Chinese whereby they launch positions at Lohanssu and Topac-

Q12

simultaneous attacks various wan on the Hankow-Ichang high-call four-and-a-half years, on the insteac of concentrating their Hsints, southwest of Balhsler,

fronts to divert Japanese attention way.

efforst to cope with the Japanese offensive on one front as they used to do:

'As a result of the Chinese simul- taneous attacks on various fronta.

the Japanese were unable to send troops from other war areas to assist in the offensive in northern Eupeh as they were able to do in the offensives on Hauchow and the Wuhan cities...

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has been recovered by the Chinese. Half of the Japanese" garrison troops were annihilated,

Captain Thomas apprenticed in

full-rigged vessel Cetic Monarch, a five top-gallant yard design. His most thrilling recollection of that time was "going aloft to furl the Royals," the highest sail, of all. "It is a great sensation to be on the Royal yard of a especially when she is rolltag,” re- lofty ship.

ports "Cappy Thomas" with a

Chinese Enter Wusteh FOWLIANG. HIANGSI, May 31 Central)-Chinese forces smashed into Wusueh," on the Yangtze River opposite Matow, in South Hupek.twinkle in his eye. in a vigorous attack on May 23.

The Japanese, who'offered stub- born resistance, were finally dis- persed. They fed to the warships According to the latest military in the river, leaving 24 dead be advices, the Japanese offensive inhind.

Complete Collapse

Northern Hupeh has ended in a The Japanese supply depots in

"CHANTEYS"

"Cappy Thomas," of the Ameri

cza President Line,

the ship was wrecked beyond re- pair, deserted and sank to Other happy memories for this the jolly Captain are

bottom. Then the ship- "chanteys."

the various wrecked band were attacked by The

'chantey-man" | pirates. would sing the words and the crew

*}

complete collapse. After sufering the town were set on fire by the answer with the chorus, there were seaman" near Honolulu, His ship,

centrated

800 Casualties

reverses, the Japanese left wing is Chinese, withdrawing from the neighbour- hood of Tungpeh, southern Honan "CHANGTEN. HUNAN, May 31 town, to Singang in south, Honan (Central)-Field dispatches state and Yingahan in east Hupeh, that 800 Japanese were killed and The Japanese right wing con-wounded during engagements on at Chungstang on the the north bank of the Sinstanz Han River has been subjected to River on May 24 and 25 and more severe attacks by the Chinese since than 20 Japanese machine-guns May 29, while after its defeat at were captured. The Chinese also Tsaoyang and Sulhsien, a part of suffered scores of casualties, the Japanese central column has been withdrawn to Anlu, west of the Pelping-Hankow Railway: 65 miles northwest of Hankow.

The war in 1914 found the "salty appropriate "chanteys" - for the under the British flag, was chased different hoists.

about the Pacific Ocean by a Ger- The ceremony of "burying the man cruiser" but with luck they dead horse" performed after the arrived in Hongkong late sum- ship was a month at always a lark for the crew. It was transporting troops to England. sea wasimer and were put into service

their wages really commented, due ton were new duties; the trans- to celebrate the day on which Arriving in port of Bouthamp-

the Articles they were given a Boulogne to England. to the fact, that when they signed (portation of wounded soldiers from month's advance wages which was invariably grabbed from them by

board.

"

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In South Hupeh the Chinese are tightening their grip on Nanlin-

the boarding-house keepers. The Armistice Day found Captain ROME, May 31 (Reuter)- klao, on the Tungshan-Tsungyang ritual includes an old straw mat-Thomas in San Francisco. It had "From our experiences in highway. The Japanese have made tress put over a wooden horse and been five years since he had left Spain, we can prove that the Pressure on Chungslang

three unsuccessful sorties, suffer- placed on a grating on hatch Mrs. Thomas and the reunion net effectiveness of air bombard- SHAST, May 31 (Central)-Fol-ing over 300 casualties:

ther will forget.

ment is beyond all expecta- lowing their success at Tsaoyang Reports from Kiangal state that A rope is made fast to this and and Sulhsien, important northern fighting is still in progress around then the "chantey-man" mounts Dollar-boats and in 1928 "CADDY Under-Secretary for Air, when

Then followed commands in the tions," declared Gen Valle, NAZI STRENGTH Hupeh towns, the Chinese are Kaoyushih, eight miles north-west the horse and is hauled from Thomas" was exerting heavy pressure on Chung-of Kaoan. The Japanese Ared the fore-castle. door to the break captain in Hongkong for the Dollar Budget in the Italian Senate. appointed porthe introduced the Air Force

IN HUNGARY slang. "Japanese stronghold on the over thirty rounds on the Chinese of the Poop with short hauts to Steamship Line and American Mall Han River in Central Eupeh. positions at Wuchuen, a village the tune of the "chantey"--"Poor Line.

In view of the Chinese menace

Kaoyushih, yesterday old horse is dead and gone for they the Japanese have already sent morning and also opened heavy say so and we hope so." etc. their military supplies in a fleet of machine-gun fre, while a party of 100 army lorries to Kingshan, 100 Japanese assaulted the north the Steward out with a jug of rum, On arrival art, the Captain sends about 36 miles east of Chungsiang ern bank of the Chin River east the main brace is spileed, and with and 90 miles north-west of Han-of Kaoyushth. Chinese stubbornly three cheers a match is applied to the mattress, overboard it goes, "the dead horse is burted!"

kow.

east

of

resisted their advance.

NO MILITARY ALLIANCE WITH AXIS. YUGOSLAVIA WILL JEALOUSLY GUARD POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE

BERLIN, May 31 (Router)The fact that the Yugoslav For- eign Minister, M. Markovitch, is accompanying Prince Paul when he arrives here to-morrow. makes it certain that behind the state visit important conversations will be conducted.

Political circles believe that these will take the form of at- tempts to persuade Yugoslavia to bind herself more closely to the Axis,

Yugoslav circles here. however, insist that a policy of strict neutrality is the only possibility for Yugoslavis and that while the country is prepared for closer trade relations whenever favourable occasion offers, she will "Jealously preserve her poli- tical independence...

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

LONDON, May 31 (BWS)-The annual report of The Board of Education for... 1938 contains evidence of continued progress. A total of 1983 school buildings, condemned as falling short of modern standards, have now either been closed or their defects have been remedied.

,

GERMAN TROOPS RETURN FROM SPANISH WAR

GIVE SALUTE TO GOERING

HAMBURG, May 31 (Reu-

SAILED TO AUSTRALIA During the many years that fol lowed Captain Thomas sailed to Australia, America, around the "Horn," South Africa and South America. Finally with hard work and persistance he received his "Master's Ticket" for sail and steam in June 1902..

IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES

AIR EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA

Gen. Valle declared that when BUDAPEST, May 31 (Reuter)----. Signor Mussolini inspected the With most of the results of the And any day that an American first Italian Air Squadron at Pied-General Election known, the Nazis President Line vessel is due in our mont, he was informed that over are assured of being, the biggest chubby. harbour, you can find a short, 80 per cent. of the machiries had Opposition Party in the Chamber. gracious man over on the Kowloon

white-haired, blue-eyed, returned from Spain. pler ordering. arranging. super-harbour quarters of Barcelona and

having increased their representa- AMSTERDAM, May 31 (Henter)→→ Gen. Valie stated: "From the tion from five to ten seats.

Mr. Rand, who is a member of the vising and sometimes "cussing" the Valencia we get the impression of Agraman Party, the chief Opposi-Guinea, arrived here en route to The strength of the Independent Archbold Air Expedition to New workmen responsible for the load-how an inhabited area could be re-tion group of the old House, has the United States. ing of the Line's transports; it will duced to a heap of ruins where no dwindled from 25 seats to 9: be Hongkong's "Cappy Thomas,"

Life could exist."

STAGGERING JAPANESE LOSSES ON VARIOUS FRONTS: WAR SITUATION REVIEWED

יון

In this same year, he sailed to the Far East out of San Fran

CHUNGKING, May 30 (Central)-In 1,347 engagements on " cisco, à city he prefers to any he

various fronts during March, April and the first half of May, a " has visited. However, this may be

total of 120,138 Japanese officers and soldiers were slain in due to Mrs. "Cappy Thomas"

action, reported Gen; Feng Yu-hsing, Vice-Chairman of the whose home is there, and where

National Military Council in a broadcast speech on May 26. she met and married her husband. In addition. 2,100. Japanese were Wuchang, where they dynamited

Captain Thomas remember, old taken prisoner during the period the railway bridge.

·Hongkong of 1902 when there was under review. Chinese war, booty only one pier in Kowloon, and also included 2.162 any horses,6,830 when travelling to Shanghai they rides. 200 machine-guns, 42 guns aalled up the Yangtze River to while 530 armoured cats and Wogsung and from that port pas. Į tanks were damaged and seized, 29 war vessels sunk and 26 planes

sengers continued by tender.

Chinese sabotage. Gen. Feng added

In 1906 this "sea-going" gentle-shot down by the Chinese, General man was back in Ban Francisca ing stated.. just in time to be one of hundreds resulted in the damage of 297 witnessing the famous earthquake of the West Coast city,

kilometers of rallways and 214 Kilometers of highways,

ATTEMPTS ON LIFE Continuing his sea traveling to

Many Successes

In Kingst the Chinese succeeded in smashing Into Nanchang on May 7, reaching sa... far as Chin Peng Road, though they withdrew after inflicting considerable casualties apon' the Japanese.

In Anhwel the Chinese had also a brief occupation of Anking on May 6 when they damaged the Japanese aerodrome. In Kiangsu War Situation Reviewed they smashed into Thing and Reviewing the war situation in Lishuf and cut the Nanking-

Li white in

south Shansi the

The number of pupils in grant ter) German troops which the Far East, Captain Thomas May, Gen. Feng revealed that the Hangchow highway. alded secondary schools reached a fought in the Spanish war acting as first officer on the Doric Japanese offensive launched by In Shantung and Honan attacks cent of 170, 0, over eighty per returned to Hamburg to-day safled to Hongkong in 1911, Ice over four Japanese divisions in were made on Tainan and Kaffeng cent, of new entrants during the in five "strength through Joy" and two attempts on his life "Cappy between 30,000 and 40,000 Jap-southward drive launched by more

bergs, gales, typhoori, fire, mutiny, norther Hapch resulted year coming direct from elementary Uners. They were escorted by Thomas" had experienced to this/anese casualties. In a series of than 70,000 Japanese troODS WAS schools. Nearly sixty per cent of destroyers and gave a salute date, and in this ship he was to counter-assaults the Chinese re-halted with no fewer than 7,000

11 nuustion, there have been to Field Marshal Hermann have his drst shipwreck. The captured Tankho and Sinyer in casualties on their part

Goering, who met them in a tragedy occurred 230 miles south southern Honan and Tsaorang special yacht.

and Sulbalen in northern Hupeh. of Shanghal, of "Finger Rock."

The passengers and crew travell. Encouraged by the success on the Honan-Hupeh borders, Chinese

entrants were admitted free.

Important developments and the Board is at present surveying ade. quacy of provision of free meals and milk in necessitous cases. The number of elementary school chil- dren receiving free meals was 614, 808 and 97 million bottles of milk were distributed free.

As the ships entered the harbour crowds on both siles cheered,

Later the men will attend a ceremonial. parade through the city. Three of Gen. Franco's gen- erals accompanied the German

For 360 scholarships for higher troops. education awarded last year, there were, 6245 candidates,

ed in lifeboats to nearby islands, reinforcements crossed the Han

Whe

REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Continned from Pare 1/ HIGHEST RETURNS

The highest number of retums received on any single day at the

River and wrested back Taaoshih and Yokow, respectively 66 and 70 mdes northwest of Hanków. Lishan, To commemorate the visit of important town in eastern Hupch, Their Majesties to Canada, and as was also regained. PARADE BEFORE KING! an appreciation of the interest" of

To divert the Japanese attention ROME, May 31, (Renter)-A the Royal family in the work of Chinese regular and guerilla forces Registration. Office was 150, the battalion of Spanish infantry will Fairbridge Farm, schools, the pur- on other fronts General Feng average being 100 daily for a period Mr. William Strange, Chief of accompany the Italian troops when Dose of which is to assist children ald, launched attacks on the until it slumped to 10. On Tuesday, the Central European Department they return to Naples where they to emigrate from crowded centres enemy, The Chinese unita opera there was something of a last- of the British Foreign Office, left will parade before King Victor of Great Britain and to train them ting in south Hupeh and north minute rush, when about 75 re- London on Bunday by air for Emmanuel and Bignor Mussolint. for life in the Dominions, an an-Human re-entered Kinnichen, a turns were received, but the num Warsaw. He will spend ten" days

onymous member of Farlament town 4 miles southeast of Hankow ber received yesterday, was consi has formed a Trust of £5.000 in on the Canton Hankow Railway derably lower The The Confucian Society will hold favour of the school on Vancouver and orice broke into Pacht on the Omice was open till 5.30 pm

ation

a Mower Day on Saturday.

Island (BW8)

same railway, 78 miles south of terday to accommodate the tardy

with the British - Ambassador in Warsaw, Bir. Howard Kennard (T.O.)

The Government has a majority of about three to cue.

HITLER BACK IN BERLIN

He declared that the scientific results of the expedition might be described as the most important ever organized in New Guinea.

The expedition had met na- tives who had never seen white people previously and they had also discovered many interest- logTM mammals,

BERLIN, May 31 (Reuter)-Herr Hitler ended his short holiday at Berchtesgaden and returned to The expedition, consisting of six Berlin' to-day. He will meet Prince explorers, arrived in New Guinea Paul, Regent of Yugoslavia, to-last June, after a 10,000-mile fight MOTTOW:

from San Diego California.

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