FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1941, Page 8

FAR EAST

CHINESE SUCCESS CLAIMED. [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN COPYRIGHT. I CHUNGKING, May 21. The Chinese claim to have broken through the Japanese encirclement of their positions in the mountains of southern Shansi, and to be effecting a counter encirclement. Severe fighting is continuing in this area, where the Japanese a fortnight ago launched an offensive aiming to oust the Chinese who have long been entrenched in the mountains. Semiofficial dispatches declare that the Japanese casualties were heavy. Truck-loads of wounded are being sent eastward every day. The Chinese Government have announced that the Chinese have recaptured Chuki, in the Chekiang province, inflicting 4000 casualties on the Japanese. The Japanese are retreating northward from Chuki.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RUGBY, May 21. Referring to British relief work in China, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. A. Butler), answering a question in the House of Commons, said that the matter of increasing .medical assistance to China was under consideration. , • JAPAN’S FOOD SHORTAGE. (Received May 23, 2.35 p.m.) TOKIO, May 22. A decree adds flour to the rationed articles, rice, charcoal, and sugar. Vegetables are not rationed, but are increasingly dear. Eggs and meat are difficult to obtain. Milk is available only to children. Butter is scarce. There are daily queues at the bread shops. The supply usually exhausted long before the demand is filled. Cigarettes,, are scarce.