JAPANESE MOVES

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 7

JAPANESE MOVES

DRASTIC WITHDRAWALS IN CHINA A STARTLING SUGGESTION ATTEMPT TO SEIZE SINGAPORE IN PREPARATION Press Association.—By Telegraph—Copyright HONGKONG, November 5. (Received November 6, at 9.15 a.m.) Indications arc increasing that the Japanese are .shortening their lines drastically by withdrawing from several zones, especially South and Central China. Chinese columns following the retreating Japanese are nearing the port of Yamehow, which supplied the Japanese in Kwaugsi. withdrawals arc reported from Chungshan, which is across the estuary from Hongkong, from Swatow, and from Yochow, in Hunan. The ‘ Chinese Daily News,’ published in Chungking, suggests that the withdrawals are preparation for a desperate Japanese attempt to seize Singapore or the East Indies before Anglo-American pressure crystallises. FIRES RAGING IN CANTDN HONGKONG, November 5. (Received November G, at 1.5 p.m.) The Chinese reported that 10 huge fires are raging iu Canton. Mounted Japanese cavalrymen arc preventing the Chinese fighting the fires. JAPANESE OFFICER ATTACKED SHOT BY CHINESE GUNMEN SHANGHAI. November 5. Another Japanese officer, Lieutenant Hisao Makamura, was shot and severely wounded in Hongkcw, the Japaneseoccupied sector of the International Settlement, this evening by a party of Chinese gunmen. Japanese gendarmes cordoned the area and commenced a search for the assassins. This is the second attack on uniformed Japanese officers in Hongkcw. Major Yoshie Isobe was shot and killed last month. “ COMMON PROSPERITY SPHERE " JAPAN'S ECONOMIC PROGRAMME TOKIO, November 4. The Cabinet Information Bureau announced a 10-year economic programme, embracing Japan, Manchukuo, and China, and aiming at the construction of “ an East Asia common prosperity sphere ” under Japan’s guidance. Basically Japan will furnish technical and financial assistance, Manchukuo will develop her basic industries, and China will co-operate in exploiting her resource's and developing communications and trade. RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT PANDIT NEHRU SENTENCED DELHI, November 5. (Received November 6, at noon.) Pandit Nehru was sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment for having made speeches urging Indians not to co-operate in the war effort.