DUAL JAP. DRIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 112, 15 May 1933, Page 7

DUAL JAP. DRIVE.

CHINESE RETREAT. Heavy Casualties in Two Big Engagements. EVACUATION OF PEKING. (United P. A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 12.30 p.m.) PEKING, May 14. Chinese official bulletins to-night admit a general withdrawal in the face of Japanese offensives launched simultaneously in the Kupei-kow Pass and the Luan River regions. The Chinese at Nan Tien-men, just southward of Kupei-kow, have sustained 3000 casualties in the past three days. The Japanese crossed the Luan River, carving their way through two divisions. The Chinese admit that under cover of a brisk artillery fire the Japanese forced a crossing of the Luanho River between Lulung and Chienan. Fierce fighting is now proceeding on the western bank of the river. As the result of the visits of Japanese bombing aeroplanes and the scattering of leaflets from the air Chinese are leaving Peking in thousands for Tientsin, especially the wealthier classes. The Chinese newspapers bitterly comment on the lack of courage displayed by the refugees.