SEVERE OPPOSITION

Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 11

SEVERE OPPOSITION

JAPANESE ADVANCE ON CANTON A DEFINITE HALT EFFECTED CHINESE FIRMLY ENTRENCHED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 18. Apparently the swift Japaese advance towards Canton is definitely halted, says the Hongkong correspondent of the ‘ Daily Telegraph.’ The Japanese officially admit severe opposition from 120,000 Chinese o'ntrenched opposite 00,000 Japanese at Wongtung. where fighting has been severe since dawn yesterday. The rapidly-widening front is perturbing the invaders, whose reinforcements are arriving more slowly from Bias Bay than Chinese from Canton. RESISTANCE OVERCOME WITHIN 35 MILES OF CANTON. HONGKONG, October 18. (Received October 19, at 11 a.m.) Though the Chinese resistance to the southern invasion is fiercer reports reveal that the Japanese have overcome the setback and are now within 35 miles of Canton, the capture of which is likely before the fall of Hankow. A major battle is being waged at Tsanghsing, while the Chinese are massing in the hills of Poklo in readiness for a flank attack. JAPANESE CLAIM TOKIO, October IS. (Received October 19, at 10.5 a.m.) The Japanese claim to have captured Yanghsin, also Tehan, midway between Kiukiang and Nanchang, for which they have been battling for two months.