JAPANESE LAUNCH LARGE-SCALE DRIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 128, 2 June 1939, Page 7

JAPANESE LAUNCH LARGE-SCALE DRIVE.

ALONG HAN RIVER.

Attack Against Yangtse Treaty Port.

AIR RAID HORROR.

United Press Association.—Copyright. ' j (Received 2 r .m.) ! LONDON. June 1. The -Daily Telcsrraph" Hon-kon-correspondent says the •Jμ panose have launched a new larirc-M-ale offensive nlonsr the Han Kiver and the Hupcli Province. apparently directed ajrainst the Yanjrtse treaty port of lehanir. I'JO miles distant. In the face of withering machine fire engineers sacrificed their lives constructin-.' pontoons to enable the -la]>anese to crii>< the river at Three point< simultaneously. (iunboat- lauded troops 011 the shores of Lake anticipating iin attack on lchanu from north and south. '"The 'rimes" Shanghai correspondent says IS Japanese piano bombed Putien. creatine havoc in crowded area-. A seaplane landed at Foochow and raked a ferry, killing :(2 and wouiulinj: S(i. Many were drowned after jumping in the river to escape the hail of bullets from the low-flying "planes, and also slaughtered civilians aboard lighters in Swatow Harbour. Battle on Mongolia Border. There is further tiphtinjr i«n the Manchukuail frontier. >ays a Tokyo me—aj>e. Japanese 'planes are reported to have attacked Mongols massing on the River Hhalha. The Manchukuan Army claims to have defeated Mongols in a pitched battle, killing soil and ca]>turin<; 12 tanks, and numerous uun< and prisoners, including a number of Kussians. The Japanese Consul at Tientsin sent a Note to the British C'onsiil-C ieneral demanding the surrender, before noon on June 7. of the assassins of C'lie;r Shi-kanjr. branch manager of the Federal Reserve Bank. Failure to comply will result in "independent Japanese action."' It is alleged that Chejr Shi-kanpr was killed in the British Concession on April

ALSO ARRESTED?

Officer Trying To Get Release Of Briton From Japs. NO MESSAGE RECEIVED. (K<x-fiveil 2 11.111.) LONDON. .Tune 1. Tt is understood the < •><\ eminent made representations t<> i-ecure the release of Lieutenant-Colonel C. I\. Spears. The British Kiiibassv at Pei|iinur fears that the .la]iaiH's t > also arrested and are holding in solitarv fonhiiement a British ofticer. Lieutenant ("oojter. who went to Kalian to investiiiate the arrest of Colonel Spears. He lias not reported simv AVednesdiiv.

A cablegram received yesterday stated that the .lapanese arrested an unknown foreimier. wearing shabby dress, in the Christian Church at Kalgan. They refused to disclose his name, and say he claims to be an attache who crossed the Sino-.Japanese lines from South China.

He was later discovered to be Lieutenant -Colonel Spear, who started a tour of the Communis armies in the interior of C hina three monfiis ago. intending to <lip through the .lapaiiese lines to Peking. The .Japanese state that he is being detained for interrogation.