JAP. CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 7

JAP. CLAIM.

TSINGPU TAKEN.

Centre of New Chinese Line Of Defence. NEWS NOT CONFIRMED. I United Press Association.—Copyright (Received 1.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, November 11. The Japanese military spokesman announced: "We have captured Tsingpu. The Chinese force are completely routed and are fleeing westwards from it." If this is confirmed, it is of great importance, for Tsingpu lies in the centre of the line to which the Chinese are reported to be retiring to make a new stand. French police liad difficulty in interning Chinese soldiers who took sanctuary in the concession, overcrowding the concentration camps which had been prepared. Already 2800 had been disarmed tonight. Heavy fighting is also reported from Sunkiang, which is expected to form the new extreme right of the Chinese line.

STUDENTS REBUFFED.

Japanese Envoy's Reply ' to Belgian Protest. SACRED MISSION IN EAST. (Received 9.30 a.m.) BRUSSELS, November 11. Belgian students have petitioned against the destruction t of Chinese universities. The secretary to the Japanese Ambassador, to whom the protest was conveyed, told the members of a deputation that Japan had collaborated in many works for the advancement of science and knowledge, and was proud of her sacred mission to safeguard. Eastern civilisation. It was therefore disgraceful and ridiculous to suggest that Japan had engaged in the systematic destruction of universities. There were so many conflicts and disagreements in Europe at present that it would bo better if the students devoted their attention to these troubles. The Sino-Japanese conflict concerned only the Far East, and the assistance of the students was not needed to solve it. Communists demonstrated outside the Japanese Embassy and a number o' them were arrested.

TO ATTACK JAPAN?

CHINESE 'PLANES LOST AT BEA (Received 2.30 p.m.) TOKYO, November 11. Three Chinese aeroplanes, which it is assumed were en route to bomb Japan, were destroyed well out to sea.