THE FAR EAST

Evening Star, Issue 20989, 31 December 1931, Page 9

THE FAR EAST

MANCHURIAN CRISIS CHINESE REGULARS RETREATING Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. TOKIO, December 30. (Received December 31, at 1.30 a.m.) Reports state that the Chinese regulars from Chiuchow are icticatiug towards tho Great Wall in consequence of tho Japanese occupation of Panshan and Kowpaugtzo, whence they drove out tho bandits, who offered a stubborn resistance.

JAPANESE CONSOLIDATING POSITIONS CHINESE LACK HEAVY ARTILLERY. SHANGHAI, December 30. (Received December 31, at 9 a.m.) Japanese military operations to-day consisted chiefly of consolidating the positions gained yesterday, while the Chinese prepared for a retreat. The Chinese are reported to be using armoured tanks, trains, cavalry, and infantry, but are lacking in heavy artillery, which the Japanese arc largely employing, supported by aeroplanes.

A message from Tientsin announces that tho Chinese military evacuation of Chinchow is already proceeding. EUGENE CHEN ELECTED TO NEW CABINET. SHANGHAI, December 30. (Received December 31, at 9 a.m.) The appointment of Eugene Chen, China’s firebrand diplomat, who held office in 1927, to tho new Cabinet is confirmed. Ho is expected to assume office on January I. JAPANESE ADVANCING OH KOWPANGTZE PEKING, December 30. (Received December 31, at 11 a.m.) The withdrawal of the Manchurian forces from tho Chinchow area is in full swing. Tho number of Chinese troops in the threatened section is estimated at 17,000, of whom 6,000 are believed to bo remaining to protect tho Provincial Government.

Kowpangtzo is in a state of panic, as a Japanese force is advancing to-day up the branch railway from Yingkow. A renewed attack on tho Chinese position and tho Japanese occupation of tho city aro believed imminent.—London ‘ Tims ’ Cable.