JAPANESE MOVE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 99, 21 January 1938, Page 11

JAPANESE MOVE

Massing Forces Across Whangpoo River ANXIETY CAUSED “Might Involve Occupation Of Shanghai” By Telegraph.—Press Assn r-Copyright. London, January 19. The Shanghai correspondent of the ■‘Daily, Telegraph” reports that heavy rain has interfered with Japanese operations, for wiiich tanks, artillery, and infantry have been concentrated, against the Chinese guerrilla troops in the Footung area, across the Whangpoo River from the International Settlement. The Japanese move is causing renewed anxiety, as it is feared that it might involve the occupation of the whole , of Shanghai.

Meanwhile, the French police in the Settlement, in lightning raids, arrested 89 Russian and Chinese terrorists, and seized quantities of arms and ammunition. Raids are continuing, and further mass arrests are expected. It is believed that an extensive plot was forestalled. The correspondent of “The Times says Wat wireless communications have been partially reopened, operating in the name of the previous administration, from the same offices as before, and making contact with. HongKong, Manila, and Batavia. It is expected that they will be extended. The Japanese announce that foreign wireless agreements will be respected. The latest Chinese estimates. is that 18,000 native refugees have died at Shanghai from disease, exposure and hunger. TENSE INCIDENT Japanese Yield to British At Tientsin Shanghai, January 19. A tense incident occurred in Tientsin when the British authorities refused to hand over Chinese living in the British concession to the Japanese army. Japanese threatened to enter the concession, and a British officer replied: “We shall be compelled, to resist,” after which the Japanese modified their attitude. SOVIET FORCES Concentration On North China Frontier London, January 19. The Tokio correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that newspapers declare that Russia, in cooperation with Outer Mongolia, with which It is allied, is concentrating troops and aeroplanes in areas bordering on North China and Manehukuo. The “Asahi Shimbun” asserts that the Soviet forces on the Manehukuo frontier have been increased by three infantry and two mechanised divisions, two artillery, and one cavalry division, an engineering division, and 1500 planes. It Is also alleged that Britain is supplying the Soviet with 20 submarines and ten heavy guns. CHINESE CHECKED Supreme War Council Formed London, January 19. A message from Shanghai states that the Japanese have checked the Chinese advance on Wuhu. Hong Kong reports that Madame Chiang ,Kai-shek,' wife of the Chinese Generalissimo,' confirmed the creation of a Supreme War Council, under General Chiang’s control, in order to intensify the campaign against the Japanese. CHINESE EXODUS Domestic Inconvenience In Tokio Toldo, January 19. The Domei news agency say that the foreign colony in Tokio has been panicked by the decision of 6-1 of their Chinese cooks to return home with the Chinese Ambassador.