CAPTURE OF NANKING

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1937, Page 9

CAPTURE OF NANKING

GREAT CHINESE LOSSES Kai Shek Orders Retreat AFTER ENCIRCLEMENT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] SHANGMxix, December 13. Japanese troops occupied the Chinese National Headquarters at Nanking at 11 a.m., and.also occupied Chiang Kai Shek’s official residence. War Office and the headquarters of the Central Cadet’s School. The Japanese are still encountering furious Chinese resistance, though the Cninese are being siowiy driven back with heavy casualties. The Japanese are pushing southwards to Hsiakwan. Nanking is virtually encircled. The Japanese military and naval air forces have ceased combing Nanking, in order n °t to ninder me Japanese fighting inside the city. OCCUPATION COMPLETED SHANGHAI, December 13. General Matsui announces the complete occupation of Nanking. Two sources confirm this statement, ihe occupation was preceded by fierce fighting within the walls. TOKIO, December 13. The Japanese declare that they completed the occupation of isanking at sunset, after 24 hours’ bitter street lighting. Warships shelled Chinese attempting to escape up the Yangtse in junks and steamers, sinking tour vessels and drowning IUOO Chinese, ihe Japanese rushed troops to close the northern exits. A Japanese column occupied Pukow and another force, completing the encirclement, reached the watertront at Hsiakwan, w.iere the cninese are maintaining many strong posts. Ihe Chinese suffered the severest casualties. A Hankow communique states that Kai Sheh ordered the withdrawal from Nanking, which w.as carried out at night time, to avoid heavy sacrifices.

In Tokio the public have begun to celebrate the fall of Nanking, with numerous lantern processions. NEXT BATTLE. AT WUSHING AND CHANGSING. WELLINGTON, December 14The following Hankow cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul: A Hankow high official telephoned to General Shen Chi, who expressed his determination to fight to the last man at Wuhsing and cnangsing. where the Japanese troops are estimated at 10,000. SHANGHAI, December 13. A Chinese official communique at Hankow says that the Chinese in the Laketai region are steadily pressing towards Wuhsing and cnangsing. AGAINST SOUTH-EAST CHINA. JAPANESE PREPARE ATTACK. (Received December 14, 9.30 p.m.) HONG KONG, .December 14. The Japanese are establishing a costly naval base at Kimoi Island, for operations against Kwantung, according to well-informed Chinese sources, and several hundred Formosan troops and naval ratings are already there. IN THE NORTH CHINESE CLAIMS. SHANGHAI, December 13. Reports from North China state ffiat 20 districts in Hopei, Snansi and Chahar are completely under the control of 30,000 Chinese mobile units. At Pekin, the Japanese spokesman admits serious fighting south of nekin, where guerillas are daily attacking the Japanese garrisons. NEW GOVERNMENTS. JAPAN’S PLANS FOR CHINA. TOKIO, December 13The Foreign Office spokesman said that a Government friendly to Japan would shortly be constituted at Pekin 1 possibly administering all China in succession to Kai Shek’s administration. Prince Konoye will clarify the situation after the fall of Nanking, Masayuki rani, ex-Minister at Vienna, is going to Pekin to help in the formation of the new covernment. An autonomous provincial government has been established in Shansi, pledged to co-operate with the Japanese. mere are signs that South Hopei will shortly do likewise. COUNT ISHII’S MISSION. TOKIO, December 13. The Foreign Office spokesman says that Count Ishii’s European mission is purely unofficial. His opinions are purely personal and will not commit the Japanese Government with which he is not connected.