DRAG ON JAPAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 18, 1 November 1938, Page 5

DRAG ON JAPAN

THE CAMPAIGN IN CHINA. SCHOOLING OF THE PEOPLE. DICTATORSHIP INDICATED. • ‘ A * h '• (United. Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 81.

The Tokio correspondent of u The Times’’ says that the Japanese command is resigned to the main.' body of the 1 Chinese central armies remaining intact, the Japanese contenting themselves with mopping up and consolidation. The future is seen as a hard drag for the Japanese people, who are being schooled for it. : - \ The national loaders are dissatisfied with their own constant enjoinders to patience, and contemplate more drastic measures in the direction of forming, under the leadership of Prince Konoyes (the Prime Minister) a single political party on totalitarian lines, to which the Seiykai and Minseito Parties are moderately responsive, and the Left Wing social mass party definitely hostile. The Prime Minister may be compelled to assume at least the titular role- of Dictator.

The Mobilisation Council approved of draft ordinances providing for special training of technicians for national service factories and workshops, which will be expanded and improved.

GUERILLA ACTIVITIES. PEASANTRY OPPOSE EXACTIONS. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 31. The Hong Kong correspondent of “The Times” says that the Japanese navy cleared the Canton River, but the city remains deserted. The Chinese state that the Japanese who were advancing along the CantonHankow railway have been brought to a standstill, while the Chinese are threatening Samshui.

There are increasing guerilla .activities in the East River where the peasantry are revolting against Japanese exacti ons.

The Japanese closed the gates of tine Hankow concessions, which are now under martial law.

The Peiping correspondent of “The Times” says' that the capture of Wutaishan cost the Japanese 7000 lives, but the Communist army headquarters in the adjacent mountain-top are still in tlie 'hands of the Chinese, who hold, the Lungkai railway as far east as Chungmou.

TIGHTENING OF THE RING. ROUND 50 CHINESE DIVISIONS. - (Received This Day v 10.30'-aim.) TOKIO, October 31. The Japanese operating oil the Yangtse claim that they are tightening si Ting two hundred miles in circumference around 50 ; retreating Chinese divisions;