FAR EAST FIGHTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1933, Page 7

FAR EAST FIGHTING

CHINESE CLAIM SUCCESS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] SHANGHAI, March 10. Reports state China is making desperate efforts to recapture Chengtehfu in Jehol. There was serious fighting there throughout the night of Wednesday. The Chinese clgim that they drove back the Japanese for a considerable distance, losing two hundred men in the process. The attacks are being made by night, in order to nullify Japanese aeroplanes. The Chinese are sending considerable reinforcements to the vicinity of Kupeikow Pass, and are preparing to hold that position until launching an offensive under the order of Chiang Kai Shek.

The Japanese Legation at Pekin s attempting to negotiate for a with-

drawal of the Chinese forces in order to prevent further bloodshed and an extension of the hostilities in North China. Otherwise the Japanese will be compelled to send troops through Shanhaikuan to attack the Chinese in the rear.

The Japanese announce operations will cease when the occupation of Kupeikow is completed.

LEGATION’S PROBLEM.

(Recd. March 11, 11 a.m.) TOKIO, March 10.

The complete expulsion of Chinese from Jehol is hourly expected. The Legation at Pekin will then negotiate to induce the withdrawal of Chinese troops at present massed south of the Great Wall. The problem, however, is with whom to negotiate.International complications are feared.

FOREIGNERS ARRESTED.

KOBE, March 10.

Embassy Secretary Crowe and his American wife were arrested for photographing in the fortified zone. The newspaper, Kukomin, states that 140 foreigners are now listed as suspects.

Previous communiques describing Japan’s incredibly small losses on the war fronts were disproved by the arrival of many wounded in Japan. The casualties are now reported to be heavy owing to the difficulties of the operations and the blizzards.