BOMBING RAID

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 15, 28 October 1938, Page 5

BOMBING RAID

ATTACK ON CHINESE SCHOOL, HUNDRED STUDENTS KILLED. PLANS FOR EXTENDED CONFLICT (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 27. The Hong Kong correspondent of “The Times” says that the Chinese report that over 100 students were killed in a bomb raid on a school in Northern Kwantung. Japan’s total casualties are computed at 75,000. The Governors of the Hunan, Szechuan, and Yunnan provinces declare that the country unanimously approves of orderly evacuation of Wuhan, with a view to conserving military strength for prolonged warfare. They add that the conflict has entered a new stage, in which China’s difficulties, though increased, will be far less than those of Japan. The Governors urge able-bodied persons not to evacuate their home towns, but to take part in armed defence of them.

BLUNTLY-WORDED NOTE. AMERICAN TRADE INTERESTS. ILLEGAL ACTS ALLEGED. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 27. The United States has informed Tokio in a forceful, bluntly-worded Note, that she is finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile herself with the trade situation the Japanese have created in China. The Note listed arbitrary illegal acts to the detriment of the United States, contrasted Japanese promises with performances, and asked for prompt measures to maintain the open door in China.

The Note was delivered to Tokio on October 6, and had just been made public. It is not revealed whether Japan has replied. Presumably she did not, despite the sharp .concluding paraprapli: “The Government believes that ill the interests of the relations between the United States and Japan an early reply would be helpful.”

"The Note asked for discontinuance of the exchange control in parts of China epntrolled by the Japanese, discontinuance of monopolistic or preferential Japanese projects, discontinuance of Japanese interference with American property and other rights, including censorship of mails and restrictions upon residence and travel, trade and Five specific illegal Japanese acts are detailed, all alleging Japanese control of huge Chinese enterprises.

THIRD-PARTY INTERESTS. JAPAN REPEATS ASSURANCES.* (Received This Day, 1.35 p.m.) . LONDON, October 27. The Hong Kong correspondent of “The Times’? says that a Japanese, Major Mutsutant, specially conveyed the Japanese Army’s respects to the Governor and naval and military leaders of Hong Kong, and gave repeated assurances that third-party interests ■will bo respected. SPECIAL SALUTE TO JAPAN. FASCIST GRAND COUNCIL’S MESSAGE. ROME, October 26. After sitting for four hours, the Fascist Grand Council, with Signor Mussolini presiding, issued a communique at 3 a.m., announcing that the council had sent a special salute to Japan on the occasion of the Canton and Hankow victories. “The Italian people feel themselves bound to Japan by a deep ideological, spiritual and political solidarity which continues to find its greatest expression in the Jtalian-German-Japanese Pact.”