MORE FIGHTING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 279, 9 November 1931, Page 8

MORE FIGHTING

MANCHURIAN TROUBLE NONNI RIVER BATTLE. HEAVY CASUALTIES ADMITTED. Shanghai, Nov, 7. Tho arrival of Japanese reinforcements decided the Nouni river battle, according to Mukden despatches to-day, a mixed brigade commanded by MajorGeneral Hasebe, employing bombing planes, turning the tide in favour of the Japanese, although the latter admit heavy casualties. The Japanese headquarters declare that the Chinese are in full retreat. General Machusan’s forces, despite superiority of numbers and although equipped with modern weapons of warfare, were unable to withstand the Japanese aerial attacks and retreated in comparative disorder, leaving Ihe Japanese in full possession of the river area and enabling tho railway bridge repair gang to resume.

The Japanese admit losing 130. Estimates of the Chinese casualties have not been received, but they arc believed to be considerably heavier, bombers inflicting the heaviest casualties. As a result of the Nonni river battle the Japanese are reported to be transferring the Changcliung garrison forces to Nonni. WITHDRAWAL OF DIPLOMATS. PROBABLE LEAGUE THREAT. London, Nov. 7. A Geneva message states that it Is believed the Council of the League of Nations will be forced to take unmistakable action to strengthen the hands of the Tokio moderates. It is suggested that

they might threaten that the other members of the Council will withdraw their diplomats from Tokio. LEAGUE COUNCIL’S APPEAL. INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMANDERS. Geneva, Nov. 7. M. Briand, on behalf of the League Council, has telegraphed China and Japan reminding them of previous assurances and appealing that instructions be issued to the commanders in Manchuria to remove all possibility of sanguinary engagements.