ULTIMATE VICTORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 16, 29 October 1938, Page 7

ULTIMATE VICTORY

CHINESE LEADER’S CONFIDENCE. CENTRES BEHIND iNVADERS’ LiNES. PREPARING FOR NEXT PHASE. FIRST SESSION OF PEOPLE’S COUNCIL. (United Press Association-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) CHUNGKING, October 28. The People’s Political Council (the National Parliament) met for the first time in session.

This is regarded as marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Chi-nese-Japanese hostilities. It received a message from the Generalissimo, Chiang Kai-Shek, declaring his confidence in an ultimate victory, the chances of which were increased as the warfare proceeded further westward. He added that China’s military preparations in the area of the PeipingHankow railway had strengthened the political and military centres created behind the Japanese lines. Time had been gained to lav the foundation for the next phase of the conflict. Mr Wang Chingwei (deputy-leader of the, Kuomintang) and Mr Lin Sen (chairman of the National Government) reiterated China’s determination to maintain resistance.

OCCUPATION OF HANKOW. RESPECT FOR SAFETY ZONES. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 28. Information that reached London through official channels indicates that the occupation of Hankow by the Japanese lias been completed without incident, and that all British subjects resident ’there are safe.. Respect for the zones set aside for the safety of residents who remained, including 1200 foreigners, has been observed, and the British naval patrols, whose services in preserving law and order, Avon expressions of appreciation from the Japanese, who are policing the areas.—British Official Wireless.

COMPLETELY OCCUPIED. THREE BIG CHINESE CITIES. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Consul-General for Japan for New Zealand (Mr Gunji ) received a cable message to-day from Tokio advising that the Japanese Army had completely occupied the three cities of Hankow, Wuchang and Tanjung. FIRED AT UNDER FRENCH FLAG. ALLEGATION BY JAPANESE. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) TOKIO, October 28. The Japanese allege that Chinese troops aboard vessels flying the French flag fired on Japanese ’planes in the neighbourhood of Hankow last Sunday. The Japanese did not retaliate owing to respect to the Tricolour, but intimated to France that they may be compelled to fire in such circumstances in future, when France must assume the responsibility.

AMERICAN STATION BOMBED, MISSIONARY’S CHILD KILLED. (Received This Dav, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, October 28. “The Times” correspondent at Hankow says that Japanese aeroplanes bombed an American mission at Tungp»ei, Honan, and killed the three-year-old daughter of a missionary, Mr Arthur Nyhus, and injured the mother and a young sister, despite the fact that the American Hag was clearly displayed.