MORE REINFORCEMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 38, 24 November 1937, Page 5

MORE REINFORCEMENTS

MAJOR BATTLE IMMINENT. CHINESE DESPERATE EFFORT. TO STEM ADVANCE ON CAPITAL. (Fluted Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.in.) SHANGHAI, November 23. The Chinese are rushing strong reinforcements to Wushing, from which the civilian population has already fled. A major battle is imminent. A desperate effort will be made by the Chinese to stem the advance on Nanking. The Japanese spokesman admitted the report of the fall of Wusih, China’s Manchester, was premature. The forces are five miles from the town. The Japanese have begun a heavy bombardment across the Yellow River near Tsinan. They set fire to-Hungtai station and caused panic among the residents of Tsinan. CONTROL OF SHANGHAI. COUNCIL AGREES TO DEMANDS. (Received This Day, 10.5' a.m.) . SHANGHAI, November 23. The Municipal Council at Shanghai agreed to carry out the demands of the Japanese regarding the rights the Chinese formerly exercised in the International Settlement councils. 'The spokesman said that the Japanese are entitled to prevent the Settlement being used politically on behalf of the Chinese Government. CHINESE CONSENT NEEDED FOR CHANGE. LONDON, Nov. 22. The Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden), replying to a question in the House of Commons, said the conditions under which the International Settlement at Shanghai was administered were land regulations which could not be modified without the consent of the Chinese Government.— British Official Wireless. INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT. i JAPANESE NOTE TO POWERS. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) PARIS, November 23. The Foreign Office admits that Japan sent to Britain and France a Note regarding the International Settlement at Shanghai. The contents have not been revealed.

DECLARATION QF WAR. CONSIDER ATION AT TOKIO. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) TOKIO, November 23. Tiie Government is seriously considering the question of a declaration of war against China. BOMBING BY JAPANESE. RAPIDITY OF THE ADVANCE. ’PLANES PROVISION THE TROOPS LONDON, November 23. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says that the Japanese are bombing every centre from Wusih to Nanking, particularly positions between Wusih and Kiangyin. The artillery then lays a barrage in advance of the infantry, after which bombers behind them make way for the armies crawling behind them by damaging defensive positions, scattering concentrations and paralysing troop movements and transportation supplies. The process, without aerial resistance, is simple and effective, and cannot be opposed by armies so unequally equipped as the Chinese.

The Japanese are advancing so swiftly toward Nanking that aeroplanes are provisioning the. vanguard. The invaders are consolidating their position south of Lake Tai. They have besieged Wushing, otherwise Huchow, a great silk-producing town, from which the whole population has fled. Seven Japanese war aeroplanes ineffectually bombed and machine-gunned troops leaving Nanking to occupy defensive lines. Thousands of citizens have taken refuge in dug-outs, some of which are mere holes half-filled with water, while others are cemented electric-lit structures capable of use as offices. Retaliation is difficult, as the majority of the anti-aircraft batteries have gone to Hankow, but the Chinese using machines from Russia, claim to have shot down two bombers, while losing one fighter. The new Chinese pursuit aeroplane is far faster than its predecessors. General von Falkenhausen and 49 other German advisers remain at Nanking, closely watching all the matters in which they are experts. It was later reported that the new Chinese war aeroplanes have taken the offensive, delivering bombing raids on the southern Japanese lines in order to raise the morale of the retreating Chinese. Foreign Embassies and Chineso officials are concerting a plan for the aproval of the Japanese High Command delimiting a neutral zone.