THE WAR IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 235, 3 July 1939, Page 8

THE WAR IN CHINA

Finish Unlikely Within A Year VIEWS OF MISSIONARY By Telegraph—Press Association. / AUCKLAND, July 2. "Unless something unforeseen occurs, the war in China will not finish within another year and then, even supposing they should gain some part of China, the Japanese will never be able to rule over it.” This statement was made by a man who has lived in China for 45 years, the Rev, G. W. Gibb, general director of the China Inland Mission, on his arrival in Auckland by the Awatea on Saturday. “Peace may ultimately be gained by Japan’s acceptance of a province or two or part of northern China,” said Mr. Gibb. “It is certain that she will never hold the territory she has conquered up to the present. It will be a fight to the" finish, and wherever the Japanese may remain their position will be made unendurable by reason of guerrilla attacks and a war of attrition which will be continued indefinitely by the hardy inhabitants.”. The missionaries -were helping many of the war refugees, caring for them in special encampments established for the purpose, said Mr. Gibb. They had also been called upon to assist the wounded and many orphans. Mr. Gibb paid a tribute to the work of the mission workers in the field, and referred particularly to the saving of more than 1009 children in an orphanage in Chihkiang during a bombing outrage by the foresight and prompt action of the leaders. Mr. and Mrs. Gibb will spend about three weeks in New Zealand and intend to return to Shanghai in September.