FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 December 1942, Page 5

FAR EAST

MANCHUKUO TRAGEDY

CHUNGKING, December 22

A Chungking communique says that General Chang Ching-hui, Prime Minister of Manchukuo, poisoned all the members of his family, shot and killed his Japanese adviser and five high-ranking officials of his puppet Government, and then committed suicide. . The communique quoted a Chinese intelligence department report saying that General Chang was unable to stand Japanese oppression any longer.

CHINESE EXECUTED

CHUNGKING, December 22

Lin Shin-Hang. head of the Chinese Finance Ministry’s transportation department, has been executed by personal order of Chiang Kai-shek for corruption and embezzlement ot 30.000.000 yuan. Lin was found guilty of stealing funds when directing the transfer of Chinese property from Burma early in 1942. The military arrested him at Kunming. The execution attracted widespread attention. It symbolised the Government’s determination to eradicate corruption. A Chinese military spokesman announced that of 300,000 Chinese puppet troops armed since 1937 by the Japanese 181.867 had deserted and joined the Chinese central armies.

DUTCH CO-OPERATION

RUGBY. December 23

The necessity for co-operation between the Pacific Powers during the war is the keynote of a message from Professor Gerbrandy (Netherlands Prime Minister) to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. He added that the people of the Netherlands considered it a privilege to wage the struggle in association with the Chinese.

CALCUTTA’S THIRD RAID

LONDON, December 23

Calcutta had its third successive night raid to-night. No official details are available, but a New Delhi communique states that only a few bombs were dropped and casualties and damage arc believed to be slight. In the three air raids on Calcutta, the total killed numbered 25. Less than 100 were injured, and many of these only slightly. Adequate warning was given. Fighters went up promptly. The conduct of the public was excellent.