CHINA RESUMES OFFENSIVE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 9

CHINA RESUMES OFFENSIVE

Reply to Japanese Diplomacy INVADING TROOPS LANDED NEAR CANTON (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received, January 18, 2 p.m.) HANKOW, January 17. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s presence at the Yellow river is inter- ■ preted to mean that the Chinese are ready to try their fortunes in one more extensive campaign for the further exhaustion of the Japanese resources. It is officially denied that any Chinese generals were shot. Japanese marines, under the cover of a warship barrage, landed at Kwantung, north of the Portuguese colony of Macao, and occupied Tungkwan. This is regarded afe a test operation in. view of the in- . vasion of Southern China. Chinese reinforcements rushed up and fighting is still in progress. It is reported that 100,000 Outer Mongolians captured Pailingmiao and are now concentrating in Western Suiyuan for a drive eastward. Bluejackets landed at Chefoo from the British warship Lowestoft to safeguard foreign lives, and property. The Japanese regard the second Chinese attempt to recapture Hangchow with the seriousness which the > situation demands. They are rushing up reinforcements in the hope iof checking the drive of General Chang Fahk-wei and 7000 “Ironsides,” who have advanced 25 miles since the attack was launched, and now are attempting to smash ' through the Japanese lines. The Chinese response to Tokyo’s ■ fulminations appears to be an active : offensive on two fronts besides | Hangchow. Chinese, assisted by I aeroplanes, launched a vigorous »drive towards Wuhu from two I directions, and also intensified the I conflict in the Tsining area, both f Sides claiming possession of the • town. The Japanese, besides threatening \ Chwansha, 14 miles south-east of * Shanghai, are burning a number of ; villages near Pootung in order to ; smoke out 3000 Chinese guerrilla » fighters, who remained when the P main body of defenders withdrew. I PRESS CENSORSHIP AT SHANGHAI BRITISH EMBASSY TO MAKE PROTEST SHANGHAI, January 17. The British Consul-General at Shanghai is investigating a Japanese invitation to the “Manchester Guardian’s” correspondent to go to the Japanese headquarters in connexion with a press dispatch handed in yesterday, raising the whole question of censorship affecting British subjects. Mr H. J. Timperley, the ‘ Manchester Guardian’s” Australianborn correspondent, submitted a news telegram yesterday. The censor telephoned him to-day that the dispatch was not sent, and requested bis attendance. Mr Timperley refused, and referred the matter to the British Embassy, which is protesting to the Japanese Consul-Gen-C ’al at Shanghai. Chinese coolies are suspected of throwing a bomb into the Shanghai “Evening Post” office, wounding three employees.