CHINA & JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1937, Page 5

CHINA & JAPAN

CHINESE RETREAT NEW BATTLE BECUN. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). SHANGHAI, September 14. In. preparation for what it is believed will be the first real test of the Chinese resistance, the Japanese are consolidating 100 square miles of territory evacuated by the Chinese. Interest at present centres on whether Japan will establish a commission in the territory for the maintenance of peace, or wait till she has pushed the Chinesei to their “Hindooburg line,” Japanese naval (aeroplanes report that the Chinese retreat was orderly and genuinely strategic.:

The Japanese claim to have reached within two miles north of the vital Shangha i-Na nking rail wa y. A message from Nanking says a squadron of Chinese bombers claim to have sunk a Japanese destroyer in Kwangchow Bay, and also, to have damaged two Japanese warships.

The general Chinese rqtreat on .the northern and eastern fronts at Shanghai began yesterday.

The Japanese *r|i»uapties. in the Paoshan sector number 200.

The Japanese occupied dominating positions in the northern ..sector and have almost surrounded 50,000 Chinese in an tirea of aJG square kilometres. The Chinese, who were wavering alter yesterday, began a.battle. New Japanese reinforcements have been landed at Liuho, Paoshan, and Woosung with the object of re-takmg Lotien. ADVICE TO BRITISH VESSELS. RUGBY, September 13. Within a view to preventing abuse of the British Flag in Chinese waters, the Board of Trade lias advised British ships hound for Chinese ports that in the absence of a British warship, they should heave to, if requested by a, Japanese warship., and allow Japanese officers to examine their certificates of registry. The Japanese warship, for its part, is expected to report by wireless to the British Naval authorities. British merchantmen will also rejport to the British Naval authorities. These ' proceedings’" will be unnecessary, where a British warship is within call, to undertake the verification of papers. Tt, is made clear in London that, in giving facilities for tlfe verification of registry, in connection with the Japanese blockade of the China coast, the British Government is reserving all its rights. BRITISH SHIPS WITHOUT CREWS HONGKONG, September 13. The disinclination of Chinese crews on British ships to proceed to hostile waters, created a fear that the refusal will become general, crippling British trade. Several crews have quitted, expressing a desire to join the Chinuoti Arniy. WOUNDING OF BRITISH AMBASSADOR. SECOND JAPANESE NOTE TO BE SENT TOKYO, September 13. A .Foreign Office spokesman stated that the Japanese have made further inquiries into the wounding of the British Ambassador (Sir Hughe Knatch-bull-Hugessen), but they have been unable to trace the source of the attack. He added tha) a second Note to Britain was being prepared.

Mr Howe, who is at present in charge of the British Embassy, has apprised the Japiineso of his intention to tiaverse on October 14 the same route over which Sir Huge Knatchbuli-Hug-csscn was travelling when he was wounded.