WAR IN CHINA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 300, 2 October 1939, Page 3

WAR IN CHINA

STRONG CHINESE RESISTANCE. AIR RAIDS ON HUPEH CITIES. (United Press Association —Copyright.' • NEW YORK, October 1. The Chungking correspondent of the “Now York Times’’ says that the Japanese have advanced on a semi-circular front within 20 miles of Changsha. According to Hunan dispatches, the Chinese are strongly resisting. Japanese airmen bombed numerous small cities in south-west Hupeh at height. Chungking was in a state of alarm for hours, but was not bombed. Evidently preparing the public tor the loss of Changsha, a military spokesman emphasised that the city was of no importance strategically. He asserted that China’s policy was not to attempt to prevent t!ie Japanese occupation of any parhimlar point nor to engage in positional warfare. On the other hand, the Chinese intended inflicting the utmost losses on the enemy, whose four divisions attacking Changsha had already suffered heavily. X’he spokesman stated that the Japanese were apparently trying to establish their front line at Changsha and through Changteh to Ichang. Japanese reports that 500,000 Chinese troops were trapped in North Hunan are repudiated. It is asserted that the Chinese are maintaining the fullest freedom of movement.

FTGHTING NEAR HONGKONG. CHINESE SUCCESS CLAIMED. (Received This Day, 9.5 a .m.) • HONGKONG, October ]. Using large numbers of ’planes and 'heavy artillery, Chinese regulars of the 4th Route Army launched a severe surprise attack before dawn to-day on the Japanese outside Hong Kong. Fighting continued for 12 hours, 300 yards from the British border. Chinese observers of the fighting claim that the Chinese captured the border village of Shataukok. Five thousand are besieging Slmmehum, which is held hv 1500 Japanese. Three thousand stormed the Japanese outside Namtau. It is claimed that the Chinese line extends 30 miles outside Hong Kong. ANOTHER CHINESE CAPTURE. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) HONG KONG, October 1. Chinese Armyl Headquarters also announce the capture of the eastern section of the Japanese positions along Hong Kong’s mainland border after fighting, following the Chinese surprise attack.