CONFLICT IN FUR EAST

Evening Star, Issue 22816, 26 November 1937, Page 11

CONFLICT IN FUR EAST

ON THE WUSIH FRONT DETERMINED CHINESE RESISTANCE ARRIVAL OF FRESH TROOPS Press Avociation —By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 24. With the arrival of fresh troops the Chinese are making a determined bid to stop the Japanese advance on the Wusih front. It is claimed that the Japanese have been forced to yield ground, while the Chinese are heroically resisting in the streets of Wushing. The Japanese army Spokesman said a halt had been called on the whole front for the purpose of reforming the lines. FOREIGN EMBASSIES DEPARTURE FROM NANKING. LONDON, November 24. The British Embassy staff at Nanking left in the warship Bee for Hankow. It is understood that the American, German, French, Italian, Belgian, and Russian Embassies moved at the same time. The British Consul and Military Attache are remaining at Nanking for the time being. CHANGSHA BOMBED TWO HUNDRED DEATHS. LONDON, November 24. Four Japanese warplanes, according to. Chinese reports, bombed Changsha, killing 200 and wrecking shops and houses. “TIME TO ADMIT DEFEAT" GENERAL UGAKI’S ADVICE TO CHINA. TOKIO, November 24. “ If China again refuses direct negotiations things may take a course neither she nor Japan desires,”, General Ugaki said in a Press interview. The Japanese Government still adhered to its frequent declarations that Japan‘had no territorial ambitions in China, but if the warfare was prolonged it might change Japanese national aspirations. If Japan was driven to greater efforts and sacrifices the demands of her people might correspondingly increase. The time had about come when China should admit defeat. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Tokio correspondent declares .■ that General Ugaki said he attributed anti-British sentiment in Japan io the belief quite unsubstantiated, that Britain was aiding China. This was .probably due to the Chinese resistance being stronger than expected, so outside aid was suspected. NINE-POWER CONFERENCE ADJOURNS INDEFINITELY. LONDON, November 24. The Brussels correspondent of ‘ The Times 1 says the conference adjourned indefinitely after the adoption of the declaration unanimously, with the exception of Italy, which opposed it. The declaration provides for resumption whenever the chairman or any two members consider the deliberations can be advantageously resumed. WUSIH OCCUPIED JAPANESE PREPARE FOR FURTHER ADVANCE. SHANGHAI, November 25. (Received November 26, at noon.) The Japanese announce that they occupied Wusih after seven days’ bombardment. They claim that the fall of the city is the first stage in the collapse of .the Chinese Hindenburg line. Once this is smashed the Japanese will face the main Nanking defences. Apart from fitful engagements in the Wushing and Wusih sectors, fighting has been temporarily held up. while the Japanese make preparations to resume the advance. CHINESE WEDDING CEREMONY 'A TRAGIC INTERRUPTION. SHANGHAI, November 25. (Received November 26, at noon.) A bride and bridegroom were killed and 200 others were killed and wounded when an hotel at Changsha was bombed during a wedding ceremony. WARNING TO CHIAKG ‘ MAKE PEACE OR TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES. SHANGHAI, November 25. (Received November 26, at 1.30 p.m.) “ Make peace or you will soon be driven from power,” is reported to be the warning of Japanese army and navy leaders, delivered to Chiang Kai-shek, after which the Prime Minister re-

torted; “ It is our fixed policy to resist to the last inch and the last man.” The message, it is reported, added that if Chiang Kai-shek accepted the truce he would be permitted to remain at the head of the Central Government in Nanking. In return the Japanese pledged themselves not to annex an inch of Chinese soil. General Ho Ying-ching and others of the peace group are reported to be in favour of acceptance of the proposal. INTERNATIONAL FINANCES MAY BE SHAKEN BY JAPANESE AIMS, PEKING, November 25. (Received November 26, at 2 p.m.) The J apanese military leaders are endeavouring by direct action to secure control of the Chinese maritime customs, the administration of which provides security for the Chinese loans for the Boxer indemnity. If this plan is carried out it will shake the whole system of international financing in China. INSTRUCTIONS TO BRITISH CONSUL SHANGHAI, Novmber 25. (Received November 26, at noon.) Mr Herbert Phillips, British-Consul-General in Shanghai, warned British merchantmen to reply readily and correctly to signals from Japanese warships. Britain has agreed that the Japanese shall board British ships to verify their hationality. RUSSIA AND JAPAN CRITICAL SITUATION REPORTED. LONDON, November 25. (Received November. 26, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Herald’s ’ Shanghai correspondent says an extremely critical situation developed between the Russians and Japanese in the Far East after the arrival of large numbers of Russian bombing and fighting planes at Chinese headquarters, Soviet submarines are also reported to have been taken overland in parts to Vladivostock, where they are being assembled day and night. This is regarded as Russia’s reply to Japan’s action in massing half a million troops on the Manchu-kuon-Mongolian frontier. MURDER OF PRIESTS SHANGHAI, November 25. (Received November 26, at 2 p.m.) The murder of nine Roman Catholic priests in the capture of Chengtingfu is confirmed. Manchukuo auxiliaries of the Japanese armies demanded money from the priests, for which some were court martialled and shot by the Japanese. The Manchukuo men later revenged those executed by murdering the priests. RAILWAY BOMBED HONGKONG, November 25. (Received November 26, at 2 p.m.) Six Japanese planes twice bombed Kowloon Railway and attempted to destroy four bridges. They destroyed the track in several places.'