MUST SURRENDER OR DIE FIGHTING

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 291, 8 December 1937, Page 7

MUST SURRENDER OR DIE FIGHTING

CHINESE CHOICE.

Procession of Sorrow Moves Through Nanking.

POSITION OF "SAFETY ZONES."

I nited Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

NAXKIXG, December 7

Apparently large bodies of troops remain in Nanking with the choice of surrender or of dying fighting. Japanese, while awaiting arrival of sufficient troops to ensure holding the city after capture and before finally launching storming parties, maintained attacks all day. Iu the last defensive lines they found the opposition less than was expected, indicating only rearguard actions. Ihe main Japanese thrust will threaten the eastern face of the city, hut a flanking column has circuited Nanking iu an effort to cut off the Chinese retreat via the I'likow-Tientsin railway. The latter force hopes to attack the northern gates simultaneously with the southern force assailing the western gates. Ihe British T'nited Press Nanking correspondent reports that artillery is already bombarding the north-western gates in order to create a breach through which tanks and infantry may pass.

Chinese still maintain the ferry service across the YanjHse-kiang from Nanking to Pukow on the main line of retreat.

Other sources declare that the Jap anese have already occupied the moun tainous area east of the city.

The invaders do not guarantee immunity of the safety zones as they may harbour Chinese troops, but agree not to attack undefended zones.

The existing "safety zone" is the scene of an endless procession of sorrow. Many participant* are starving and without possessions. Their movement is no less tragic because such flights are now commonplace.

Chinese authorities have ordered evacuation of all troops from the zone and the demolition of its defensive works. Fifteen foreigners sponsoring the plan, including British. French and American, remain in the area as evidence of good faith. Their heroism may avert a holocaust. AFTER NANKING FALL. New Chinese Government Disposed to Peace. PREPARING FOR REJOICING. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. "The Times" Tokyo correspondent says the Japanese Cabinet discussed the situation contingent oil the fall of Nanking. It is hoped a new Chinese Government, sufficiently imposing to justify recognition and disposed to peace, may replace Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's administration.

The "Daily Telegraph" Tokyo representative says the impending fall of Nanking occupies every mind and all newspapers. Plans are completed for a flag parade by day and torch parade at night, involving 1.000.000 students and other marching to the Shrines of Shinto gods and Japan's warrior dead.

The stock market in London has further improved. The papers, however, point out that the fall of Nanking will not end the fighting. Guerilla warfare will follow.

THRILLING AIR DASH.

Chiang and Adviser Elude

Pursuers. CHINESE COUNTER-ATTACK. (Received 12.30 p.m.) NANKING, December 7. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and Mr. W. H. Donald, his Australian-born adviser, won a thrillinjr air race after taking off at daybreak in a high-speed air liner from Nanking. Japanese 'planes pursued them, but were outdistanced. The Chinese report a counter-attack in the neighbourhood of Changteh, which resulted in the defeat of the Japanese rearguards and the reoccupation of towns near Lake Taihu, thereby cutting communications of the Japanese forces advancing northwards.

"The Times" Nanking correspondent says observers report that Chinese soldiers burnt villages on the line of retreat, the result of which is that disordered mobs of villagers streamed into Nanking.

NEXT LINE OF ACTION.

China Preparing Defences In Shantung. JAPANS MONEY INTERESTS. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. The "Daily Telegraph" Tokyo correspondent says newspapers give prominence to the situation in Shantung, where new defence lines are being created.. The opinion is expressed that this will soon be the scene of major operations.

Japan, hitherto, has been anxious to avoid fighting here because she has millions invested in Tsingrtao cotton mills and other industries, which a conflict may destroy.

A Shanghai message states that in Western China the Chinese are constructing a fresh line of fortifications on the right bank of the Yellow River from Tungkuan, on the Shansi border, to a point 60 miles within Shantung border, a total of 250 miles. It is manned by 22 divisions.