JAPANESE DRIVE FOR CAPITAL OF CHINA

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 271, 15 November 1937, Page 7

JAPANESE DRIVE FOR CAPITAL OF CHINA

NANKING OBJECTIVE.

Advance Assuming Grave Threat To Defenders. SMASH "HINDENBURG LINE." United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) NANKING, November 4. Defences outside and inside the capital, also on the river fronts, are rapidly being strengthened because the Japanese advance from Shanghai is assuming the appearance of a grave threat to Nanking itself. Nevertheless the Government is not moving further inland.

The Japanese now occupy Liuho, from which the Chinese withdrew, their left flank falling back.

The Japanese also claim to have entered Taitsing and Waiking, and are confident of smashing the so-called Chinese "Hindenburg line" from Yangtse to Hangchow Bay, within 48 hours. Sandbags are already disappearing from Shanghai buildings now that the fighting has passed on, and for the first time in three months the city is tranquil. The Chinese Army already is 35 miles distant. The Japanese line extends for 62 miles from Liuho, via Siacho-chiao, to Kasham. Chinese Losses 300,000? Members of the International Red Cross estimate the Chinese losses at 150,000 killed and 150,000 wounded. The remaining Chinese units who were isolated at Nantao escaped or were annihilated after the Japanes took control, while 5000 Chinese are interned in the French Concession. Soochow was subjected to a severe aerial bombing by the Japanese, in pursuance of the invaders' apparent aim to advance upon Hangchow and Nanking.

A message from Tokyo states that the Domei News Agency reports that 100,000 Chinese troops are trapped in the Japanese pincers at Chao-diung-ehiao, south of the Soochow Creek.

The Japanese, heavily reinforced, are close on the heels of the retreating armies, and have captured the important strategic point, Kiating, driving the Chinese defenders from the railway line. Huge fires are raging in Nantao. Many jChinese officials are proceeding to Hongkong from Shanghai, and numerous business administrations have been transferred to Nanking. FROM BRITAIN. Fifty 'Planes Arrive at Hongkong. SENT ON TO WAR THEATRE. ! (Received 11.30 a.m.) HONGKONG, November 14. Fifty British-made aeroplanes have arrived.

Many of them have been sent on to the theatre of war in China for use against Japan.