MOTIVE OF ATTACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 110, 12 May 1938, Page 9

MOTIVE OF ATTACK

TWO VERSIONS

LANDING UNDER COVER OP I

NAVAL GUNS

LONDON, May 11

The Hong Kong * correspondent of "The Times" says the Japanese landed at Amoy under cover of fire from twelve warships. The Chinese retired' ; until 500 Japanese were ashore and then engaged the invaders. Severe fighting occurrfed. The Chinese claim that_ they "killed 100- and captured 75. Other reports declare that the Japanese are gaining v- 4 1 ground. The Hong Kong correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says , that the British destroyer Diana and the American gunboat Asheviile are standing by to take off nationals , if; ; necessary. : The Hong Kong correspondent of tha "Daily Telegraph" says that the land- » ing is apparently intended to be permanent and may be the initial step in the lofig-awaited South China ydrive., \ Canton is greatly perturbed, fearing that a thrukt from .the Amoy area may cut off its vital irade* with Hong Kong. . A message from Hong Kong states that there are two versions of the Japanese motive in attacking Amoy. The Japanese assert that it is a base for spti-Japanese activities and a chari- . nel for munitions to China. The"' v Chinese say the attack is a diversion '" to prevent the transfer of half a million fresh Chinese troops to Shan-" ' tung Province. , The Japanese warned foreigners in Amoy that unless-the strictest neutrality was observed foreign rights - would not be respected. According to this morning's news, .. Amoy city is still blazing. The Japan|ese occupation of (the island is pro .r . gressing and the whole eastern half is . - subdued. s ■ Foreign naval sources do not support the Chinese claim that they held up the landing force and caused 500 . casualties. The Japanese justify .the bombing' of the university because Chinese' defences were established ia its grounds.- :