FAR EAST FIGHTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1940, Page 7

FAR EAST FIGHTING

CHINESE CLAIM VICTORY THOUSANDS OF JAPS. KILLED * [BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] CHUNGKING, December 2. It is reported here officially that Chinese forces smashed a Japanese multiple-pronged offensive along a hundred and fifty-mile front extending through Fishang, North Hupeh, Tangying, and north-east Ichang during the week-end, killing over 12,658 Japanese in a score of scattered sanguinary battles. For the first time for a month, Japanese raided the Chungking area, but the city was not attacked. U.S.A. AID FOR CHINA. (Received December 3, 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 2. The Joint Senate and House Committee on monetary affairs unanimously approved the proposals to extend financial aid to China, and help to stabilise Chinese currency. BASES FOR U.S.A. WASHINGTON, December 1. Admiral H. R. Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, in his annual report, called for advance naval bases “in our own overseas wherever they are needed, be it Porto Rico, Hawaii, or Guam,” to permit operations in areas where national interests are liable to attack.

FRENCH-THAI WAR AERIAL ENCOUNTERS HANOI, December 2. An air battle lasting 20 minutes occurred above the village of Thakhek on the Mekong river while the French retaliated against Thailand following the bombings on November 28 and 30. The principal southern Indo-China cities are blacked out and authorities in Hanoi give the impression that the situation is grave. A message from Bangkok reported that the Thai High Command has issued a communique stating that Thai forces on Sunday repulsed the French invasion of southern Thailand. t The communique said that French aeroplanes continued to violate Thailand all day on Sunday. OFFICIAL STATEMENTS (Recd. December 3, 9.5 a.m.) BANGKOK, December 2. Luang Bipul Songgram issued a communique stating that airmen bombed military objectives at Thakhek, on November 30. Ten bombs directly hit anti-air batteries within the demilitarised zone, and also a French troop concentration. HANOI, November 30. It is officially stated that several Thai planes dropped nine bombs, but failed to hit the five hundred ton French armed river-boat Beryle near Kone Island, Gulf of Siam,, after which two planes renewed .the attack, whereupon the Beryle returned the fire, and is believed to have damaged one plane which escaped. Thai troops occupied Bandong, an unprotected river island.

BISHOP PLACED IN CAGE HANOI, December 2. It is officially announced here that the Catholic Bishop of the Siamese part of Laos, Monsignor Gouin, and also Rev. Father Malava and Sister Ursule arrived at Thakhek from Siam on Sunday. This was after they had been arrested in Siam, where it is alleged they were exposed to the public view for six hours, while confined in an iron cage, before they were expelled to Indo-China. They had to go without permission to take their possessions. JAPS. IN MALAYA AUCKLAND, December 2. The state of tension in Singapore and the Federated Malay States generally, due to Japan’s threats, was emphasised by Mr. W. P. Crawford and Mr. E. P. Wilson, two visitors from Malaya, who’arrived at Auckland by Tasman Empire Airways flying boat, Awarua. Mr. Crawford is a rubber planter and Mr. Wilson is an educational officer to the Malayan Government.

When matters were going well for the Empire, the Japanese in Malaya were a pleasant people, but they were now often rude and otherwise ill-mannered, the visitors said. In Singapore there was quite a large section of Japanese who practically fully occupied one district, and there were concentrations of them in what might be regarded as strategic situations over the country. They were on rubber plantations, and also were in large numbers at two iron ore mines whose products went to. Japan. What the visitors described as a “certain awareness” of the Japanese situation was evident in Singapore. In spite of the unsettled conditions through the East, however, the port was very busy. There were large numbers of troops and places of entertainment were flourishing. While not disposed to discuss the military situation in any detail, the visitors pointed out that the Malayan peninsula hinterland was covered over wide stretches by thick jungle which would presumably offer great difficulties to any invading forces. On the other hand, there were very fine modern roads. There was a splendid arterial road extending through the length of the peninsula and the western side was also well roaded. The eastern side was not nearly so well developed as tile west. Regarding Thailand, it was difficult to estimate the situation, said the visitors? Before the war, British and German influences were rather strong. Both countries had exercised an influence in the training of the Thailand military forces. It could be assumed that Japanese influences were fairly strong to-day in Thailand.

SALVATION ARMY WELLINGTON, December 3. Brigadier Annie Smyth, a Nevz Zealand officer of the ■ Salvation Army, who has returned after serving 34 years in Japan, says that personally she did not have any trouble, but some members of the Army had encountered difficulties. Social work was - *

being carried on as usual. While visiting Japanese people settled in the Philippines, recently, she was billeted at the" home of the manager of one of the large Japanese commercial houses, and spoke highly of the hospitality extended to her, even to the extent of lending their car for her work. If the Army carries out its intention to start a corps in the Philippines, it is probable that Japanese ofr fleers from either North or South America will be chosen to take charge. She intends, to return to Japan after the war.