MAJOR DISASTER FOR CHINESE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 11

MAJOR DISASTER FOR CHINESE

DEFENCES SMASHED IN SHANSI PROVINCE

LEADER CLAIMS LOSSES ARE

NEGLIGIBLE

LONDON, February 28

The Japanese have smashed through the Chinese defences at Ling-shih and are pouring into Southern Shansi.

The Japanese earlier captured Ping Yangfu, 70 miles south-west of Ling-shrih.

The Japanese thrust into Shansi is a major disaster for China. A Japanese column from Luanfu is cutting off the Chinese line of retreat and swerving the fugitives westward helter skelter over the mountains towards the Yellow river. The main Chinese line of defence, consisting of 100,000 troops extending for 20 miles, v/as swept aside. Chinese officials admit that the situation is critical and that any xecoverv in Shansi is unlikely. “Our casualties are only 500.000, which is comparatively insignificant ” declared General Pai Chunghsi, the Chinese Chief of Staff. He added: “Not until our sacrifices are 50.000. or 100,000,000 need we despair It takes three Chinese to kill one Japanese, so that we need 100.000. to exterminate Japan s entire male population.”

BRITISH AIRLINER UNDER FIRE

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS CHANGES ROUTE SHANGHAI, February 28. An Imperial Airways liner, wellmarked with Union Jacks, which was on its way from Bangkok to Hong Kong, passing at an altitude of 12,000 feet a squadron of Japanese destroyers, ran the gauntlet thiough shells and machine-gun bullets. Luckily it was not hit and arrived safely. _ _ After discussions with Japanese officials at Tokyo and Hong Kong, Imperial Airways has decided to alter its route from Bangkok to Hong Kong. . . , . An official account of the incident states that Japanese fighter aeroplanes mistook the air liner for a Chinese machine, but on its near approach all discovered their error, except one, which fired a few shots.

CHIANG KAI-SHEK IS

CONFIDENT

BELIEF THAT CHINA CAN DEFEAT 3APAN

LONDON, February 28

Three reasons why he was 1 confident of China’s success in the conflict with Japan were given by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, in an interview with the Hankow correspondent of the “News-Chronicle. They were: (1) China’s currency cover was still exceptionally high, whereas Japan’s was low. (2) The Chinese people realised that the National Government had made a sincere and sustained eftort to raise the standard of living, nnd the Japanese were not encouraged by a similar conviction. (3) The Chinese had unlimited man power for the defence of their own soil. . , , ... Marshal Chiang Kai-shek admitted that the process of militarising such a vast country must inevitably be slow. In the meantime he did not fear the Japanese advances, which lengthen the invaders’ lines of communication and increase their vulnerability to guerrilla attacks. “We are convinced that China can outlast Japan,” he concluded.

DAMAGE TO BRITISH

PROPERTY

102 CLAIMS LAST YEAR (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, February 28. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), in answer to a question in the House of Commons, said that 102 claims had been notified up to December 30 for looting and wanton damage to British property in Shanghai by the Japanese forces. The British reply to the Japanese

memorandum suggesting that certain measures should be taken by foreign residents in the areas north of the Yangtse-kiang for their safety and the protection of their property, advises the Japanese Government that its suggestions have been communicated to the residents in the affected areas; but at the same time it points out that Britain will hold Japan responsible for any loss of British lives or damage to British property.

GERMAN PROTEST TO JAPAN

ATTACK ON RESIDENT OF SHANGHAI SHANGHAI, February 28. In reply to a German protest, the Japanese Consul-General expressed regret at the attack on Dr. Edward Birt by a Japanese soldier, and promised to take the necessary steps after an investigation had been made.

The Japanese version is that Dr. Birt was slashed by a bayonet attached to a cord which a Japanese soldier was whirling to keep off a crowd of jeering villagers.

CHINA RETAINS GERMAN ADVISERS (Received March 1, 7.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 28. In spite of Germany’s recognition of Manchukuo German advisers remain in the Chinese Army.