CANTON SECTOR BECOMES SHAMBLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 7

CANTON SECTOR BECOMES SHAMBLES.

AIR RAID TERROR.

People Blown to Pieces By

Jap. 5001b Bombs.

DESTRUCTION AT NANKING. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 nooo.) LONDON, November 24. Forty people, including five children, were killed in an air raid on Nanking, in which the National Art Gallery was also damaged. Fronts of shops and houses were ripped off. General Tang Seng-chi, who is in charge of the defences of Nanking, has assumed full responsibility for the safety of foreign_life and property "even in the hour of • extreme danger." Over 100 civilians were killed in an air raid by Japanese on Canton and Honam, across the river. A large part of the city's slum areas was wrecked. / The inhabitants of Canton have been warned by the invaders to evacuate the city as it will henceforth be subject to indiscriminate bombing. Honam Island presented a most gruesome sight after half an hour's bombing, in which raiders used 5001b bombs that shook the whole city and reduced sections to a shambles. It is believed that at least 162 are dead and missing. Many were blown to pieces, and others were so mutilated that they could not be recognised. Armies of coolies are digging in the ruins recovering further bodies. The "Nichi Nichi Shimbun," Tokyo, says Japan now means to dominate the whole of China. The Japanese claim to have captured Wushing. Food riots have broken out in the French Concession in Shanghai. Thousands of ragged refugees besieged rice shops, and the police dispersed the mobs with baton charges. All food shops are now guarded. Japan has notified the Powers regarding her intentions in connection with the International Settlement at Shanghai. The police gave unofficial advice which led to the cessation of five of the leading Chinese newspapers and the official Chinese news agency. GRAVE PROSPECT. Japanese Invasion of Canton Sector. BRITISH INTERESTS MENACED. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. The "Daily Telegraph" Hongkong representative states that fears have increased that Japan is preparing for a large-scale invasion of the south coast. They are heightened by a report from Amoy that three divisions of Japanese troops are aboard warships off Formosa awaiting orders to invade Canton area. ' This would be viewed very gravely owing to the danger of incidents involving British interests. "While I was flying to Hongkong from Saigon," writes the correspondent, "I saw Japanese warships steaming almost under the guns of the new Stanley fortress. Among them was an aircraftcarrier, from which Japanese 'planes would be sent to attack Canton." WOOING CATHOLICS. Japanese Mission to Visit The Vatican. CRUSADE AGAINST "REDS." (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. Rear-Admiral Yamamoto, accompanied by Mr. Shibasaki, former Vice-consul at Los Angeles, says a Tokyo message, have gone to Rome on a special mission to appeal to the world's Roman Catholics to support the Japanese "crusade in China against Communist penetration." They will visit the Vatican and European countries. The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says Herr Hitler is to pay an unprecedented compliment to Japan by attending a dinner to be given by the Ambassador, Count Mushakoji, to-morrow, to celebrate the signing of the Anti-Communist Pact. The other guests will include Signor Attolico, Italian Ambassador, Herr von Ribbentrop, General Goering, Herr Hess, Marshal von Blomberg and other German leaders. j

IF CHINA REFUSES.

Japanese Advocates Direct

Negotiation.

ANTI-BRITISH FEELING.

(Received 2 p.m.) TOKYO, November 24. "If China again refuses to enter into direct negotiations things may take a course that neither she nor Japan desires," said General Ugaki, in a Press interview. "The Japanese Government still adheres to its frequent declarations that Japan has no territorial ambitions in China," he continued, "but if the warfare is prolonged it might change Japanese national aspirations. "If Japan is driven to greater efforts and sacrifices the demands on her people might correspondingly increase. The 1 time has about come when China must admit defeat." The "Daily Telegraph" Tokyo correspondent declares General Ugaki said he attributed anti-British sentiment in Japan to the belief, quite unsubstantiated, that -Britain was aiding China. This was probably due to Chinese resistance being stronger than was expected, ■o outside aid was auepected.