HEAVY OFFENSIVE IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 12

HEAVY OFFENSIVE IN CHINA

Japanese Attacks On Four Fronts By Telegraph.—Prese Assn.—Copyright. (Received September 25, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 24. The Japanese claim to have advanced down the Canton-Hankow railway within 50 miles of Changsha, the attack on which from Nanehan'g is being continued, states a message from Shanghai. Heavy fighting and aerial activity are reported over 200 miles on the east and west fronts and 100 miles on the north and south fronts. Simultaneously, the Japanese peace offensive has been intensified through propaganda supporting the new Government under Mr. Wang Ching-wei. A Changsha report states that the Chinese claim they have prevented the Japanese air. land and naval attacks from developing into a large-scale offensive from the Yangtze. They declare that a Japanese attempt to land troops GO miles north of Changsha under a bombardment by gunboats was repulsed with the destruction of 30 of the landing boats and many of the occupants. The Chinese report from Chungking that Japanese planes raided the coastline of Fukien Province, south of Foochow- and bombed Fuching. Pingtiea, Putleh, and Changio. PATROL INCIDENT Blockade In Tientsin i Received September 25. 11.10 p.m.) TIENTSIN,' September 24. British and Japanese troops exchanged fire at 3.30 atm. today on the border of the British Concession after the Japanese had fired on three sampans attempting to run the blockade in order to avoid being trapped in the receding floodwaters. A British patrol rushed to the concession boundary when they heard the firing. A Japanese bullet passed over the heads of the British, who fired one round, whereupon the firing ceased. There were no casualties.