CHINESE HARD BESET

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 5

CHINESE HARD BESET

CRISIS ON HONAN FRONT JAPS. SECURING PEIPING RAILWAY Glee. 11.10 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 8. Fierce fighting on all sectors of the Honan front is reported in field despatches. The Chinese position generally is worsening. The Japanese are now six miles south of Loyang. Only 14 miles of the Peipiug railway are now controlled by the Chinese. General Stilwell's communique reports that Chinese and American planes continue actively to support the ground forces in the Yellow River area, attacking enemy columns. Fighter-bombers ranged to lndoChina, destroying railcars, locomotives, and railway installations.

SITUATION SERIOUS

GROWING THREAT TO LOYANG NEW YORK, May V. "The China war situation is described as serious, due to the growing threat to Loyang, from which the Japanese are within nine miles and a-half," says the Chungking correspondent of the Associated; Press. " The fall of Loyang, 500 miles northcast of Chungking, would open the historic invasion route to the Chinese interior. " It is believed in Chungking, that the Japanese may be attempting an all-out attempt to knock China out ot the war. Japanese advances beyond Loyang would involve Chinese Government forces garrisoning the area adjacent to Communist-controlled territory. The battle has already drawn attention to the Chinese equipment deficiencies. The Chinese and American air forces have been thrown into battle."

GHINESE MORALE HIGH

WASHINGTON, May H. The Chinese Ambassador, Mr Wei Tao-ming, on his return after a visit of two' months to Chungking, declared that the Japanese offensive in Honan Province was a desperate effort" t» strengthen their (positions befpre the Allies can launch a large-scale offensive. "We aire doing our utmost to check the advance," he said, "but it is very difficult. The Chinese army, however, is still tenacious and its morale is high, although supplies are limited."