CANTON BOMBED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 207, 30 May 1938, Page 9

CANTON BOMBED

City Staggering Under

Intense Attack

500 KILLED; 900 HURT

Fires Raging In ’Densely Populated Areas

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.

(Received May 29, 7 p.m.)

Canton, May 28.

The city of Canton is staggering under intense bombing, begun at 11.15 a.m. to-day. . By noon 100 bombs had been dropped from groups of planes flying over the city. The raiders returned at 1.15 pan. At least 500 were killed and 000 wounded, including 40 rescuers killed and 50 wounded when they were trapped during the second raid.

Wongsha was bombed four times and 100 houses were destroyed. Bombs fell near the public hospital, which is far removed from military establishments. On the other hand, a Japanese account from Tokio slates: "Forty planes effectively bombed Canton railways and military establishments.” Across the river the scene was one of terrible confusion. Thousands of panic-stricken inhabitants tried to cross to the foreign settlement, where guards prevented them from entering. Host took refuge along the waterfront, consequently the carnage was le.ss than was feared. Fires are raging in densely-populated Saikwan and Wongsha areas, both of which are pitted with immense craters. Two streets adjacent to the Wongsha station were demolished. Rescuers are still working, removing victims from the wreckage.

It was reported on May 14 that the British community at Amoy was seething With indignation at the Japanese arrest and maltreatment of a bird-lover, Mr. E. S. Wilkinson, who climbed over a barbed wire fence in the Japanese sector to observe nesting birds. Mr. Wilkinson complained that Japanese soldiers performed a war dance around him in the prison yard at the jail and finally thrust a bayonet into his shoulder, just missing one of his lungs.

KWEITEH ENTERED

Japanese Hold Key-Point Of Lunghai Railway

(Received May 29, 7 p.m.)

i Tokio, May 28.

Japanese have entered Kweiteb, the key-point of the Lunghai railway. They claim that they are still holding Langfeng. The Chinese Foreign Miriistry earlier stated that Langfeng bad been recaptured, 'heavy' casualties being inflicted on the Japanese. This freed the Lunghai railway between Kaifeng and Kweiteli. The Japanese remnants were being pursued by the Chinese, who were also surrounding and attacking Japanese reinforcements at Kwantai.

The War Office has recalled Lieut.General Kideki Tojo, chief of staff in Kwangtung province.

RAILWAY WRECKED

British Naval Ratings ✓ Held Up

(Received May 29, 7 p.m.)

Hong-Kong, May 28.

In spite of notification of the dispatch to-day of a special train carrying British naval ratings to relieve the crews of British gunboats on the Yangtse, Japanese overnight so wrecked the Kowloon-Canton railway that the train was unable to leave.

According to a Shanghai message Japan has expressed her sincere regrets at the maltreatment of Mr. E. S. Wilkinson, and has promised corrective steps.

CHOLERA EPIDEMIC

Insanitary Conditions In Shanghai

Shanghai, May 27.

Eight out of 18 suspected Chinese cases have been confirmed as cholera. The outbreak has been declared an epidemic. Its extension is feared owing to the hundreds of thousands of refugees who are living in Insanitary conditions. Cholera has also broken out at Pootung, whither the Japanese have dispatched a medical corps in the hope of preventing the spread of infection to their own forces.

Shanghai clinics- inoculated 70,000 people.