CHINA’S PLIGHT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 19, 2 November 1938, Page 5

CHINA’S PLIGHT

SEEKING OUTSIDE AID. ENLISTING MOSLEM SUPPORT. MISSION ARRIVES IN TURKEY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) ANKARA, November 1. A moslem mission sponsored by the Chinese Government has arrived. It is touring Moslem States to enlist sympathy for the Chinese in their fight for independence.

CONFINED TO CONCESSION. BRITISHERS PROTEST TO JAPAN. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) HONG KONG, Nov. 1. Two hundred British nationals who were confined in the British concession at Hankow after the proclamation of martial law are most strongly protesting to Japan. NEW OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED. BIG FORCES THREATEN FOOCHOW. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) SHANGHAI, November 1. Thirty-two warships landed another Japanese army at Futsing, 30 miles; south from Foochow, the capital of the Fuchin province, for a. new invasion from, the sea.

Foochow is the most important port and flea markets, midway between Shanghai and Hong Kong. It is reported that the disorganised banks and Government offices have been evacuated and customs suspended. REOPENING CANTON RAILWAY. BRITAIN APPROACHES JAPAN. LONDON, October 31. A correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that Britain is approaching Japan regarding the possibility of re-opening the Canton-Han-kow railway. The Japanese have not yet shown any intention of redeeming the mounting damages to British property. Official circles state that suggestions of the closing of the door to foreign trade arc premature. Capital investment is. Britain’s main interest. The United States and Germany are larger exporters.

“ NEW EAST ASIA.” / JAPANESE POLICY STATED. POWERS MUST FACE REALITIES. TOKIO, November 1. It is reported that after confirmation at to-day’s Cabinet meeting, a draft statement of principles will be adopted for the reconstruction of “New .-East Asia.” This will be submitted to the Emperor, and published on Thursday. It will, it is stated, reiterate that Japan has no territorial designs on China, hut intends to crush Chiang Kai-Shek’s regime, whose anti-Japanese pro-Communist policy is plunging millions of Chinese into dire distress. Third Powers will be counselled to look Chinese realities in the face. The statement is also expected to announce that Japan’s, foreign policy will henceforth he based on the anti-Comin-tern Rome-Berlin Tokio axis, which will be further strengthened. Japan, will also declare her readiness to co-operate in establishing a new central Government in China and a new peace fabric based on the ,principle, “East Asia for the Asiatics.” CLAIM BY THE JAPANESE. 50,000 COMMUNISTS WIPED OUT. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) TOKIO, November 1. It is claimed that 50,000 Chinese Communist troops have been wiped out in the Wutaishan Mountains.