MILLION CASUALTIES

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1938, Page 5

MILLION CASUALTIES

IN CHINA WAR

Peace Move Reported

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] SHANGHAI, February 8. Foreign observers estimate thai the Japanese casualties in the whole campaign are 50,000 killed and 150,000 wounded. The Chinese losses are fourfold greater. The Japanese claim to have killed 7000 Chinese In the southern sector of Tientsin-Pukow, during the last eight days.

Peace Overtures Reported

FROM THE CHINESE. TOKIO, February 8. Correspondents at. Hong Kong declare that China is approaching Britain to mediate for peace. “Nlchi Nichi” says that Premier Kung is using Madame Kai-shek for the preliminary overtures. The paper expects the new British Ambassador (Sir R. Clark Kerr) to bring a formula to save China’s face while recognising Japan’s position in the Far East (this story has not been received from any British source). DENIAL OF OVERTURES. LONDON, February 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Shanghai correspondent says that the Australian, Donald, declares that there is absolutely no truth in the reported association of Madame Kai-shek or her relatives with peace moves. He added: “China is going to carry on. Fresh troops have reinforced the Lunghai front, and successful coun-ter-offensives have been launched in the Wuhu and Hangchow areas. Canton is ready to resist a southern invasion, and has completed preparations against attack."

Japanese Attacks

SOUTH HOPEI BATTLE. SHANGHAI, February 8. The Japanese have launched a new offensive in North China, attend ed by bitter - fighting in Southern Hopei. : The invaders captured Nanlo, killing 1000 Chinese. ANOTHER BATTLE IMMINENT. SHANGHAI. February 8. Severe hostilities appear imminent by the Hwai River, where the Jap-' anese have been reinforced. RED FORCES SURROUND POSITION. SHANGHAI, February 8. The Chinese Red Route Army surrounded Yuanping, 80 miles north .of Taiyuan, after fierce fighting with 20,000 Japanese. ■ JUNKS ATTACKED. CANTON, February 8. Japanese aeroplanes machine-gun-ned a fleet of junks, carrying American petrol, and killed one Chinese. The American Consul is investigating. NEW JAP CONSUL. COMING TO N.Z. TOKIO, February 8. In an Interview with the Australian Associated Press, Consul-General Gunji said that he looked forward to a tranquil sojourn in Wellington, owing to the good Japanese and New Zealand relations. He had had a hectic time while Consul-General at Singapore, owing to the Chinese agitations for a boycott, but he highly appreciated the British officials’ efficiency and goodwill in safeguarding the Japanese from molestation. He was surprised at the number of New Zealand journalists working in Singapore. NEW PEKIN GOVERNMENT. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, February 8.. Asked in the Commons whether in view of the fact that Japan had created a small pseudo-independent State in Northern China, any British diplomatic representatives remained in Pekin, Lord Cranbourne replied that the Embassy in Pekin remained in charge of the diplomatic secretary, who had been instructed to avoid any action or attitude which might imply recognition by thfe' British Government of any government other than the Chinese National Government. JAPANESE HONOUR CHINESE SOLDIERS. SHANGHAI, February 8. The Japanese troops are holding memorial services in Nanking, in honour of the Chinese troops killed while defending» the capital. They placed a wreath on the monument commemorative of Chinese patriotism. SPIES AT CANTON I WELLINGTON, February 9. . A cablegram received by the Chinese Consul from Hankow states: The police at Canton discovered three lots of Japanese spies, and arrested them. They intended to start a revolt within Canton, when the Japanese warships were bombarding the city from without. Since the plot has been discovered, Canton is now quiet. ’ JAPANESE SHIP DISCARDS AUSTRALIAN FLOUR. SYDNEY, February 9. Two hundred tons of flour, which had been loaded on the Japanese freighter Brisbane Maru, portion of a consignment for which she made a special call to Sydney, was unloaded yesterday, and the. vessel sailed for Japan last night without it.. No explanation was forthcoming. The incident has mystified the waterfront- . , BRITISHER ACQUITTED. ; SHANGHAI,' February 8.

A British magistrate acquitted Morgan on a charge of illegally attempting to possess three Japanese oil barges, expressing the opinion that he was the dupe of others.