CHINA & JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1939, Page 5

CHINA & JAPAN

CHINESE IN TRAP ARMY OF 50,000 MEN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 1.0 p.m.). i TOKIO, February 15. ' ■ • Field despatches report 50;000 Chinese troops and guerillas in Central Hopei are trapped betAveen the PekingHankoAV and Tientsin-PukoAV railway. The Japanese are scouring the area. CHINESE HONOURS. (Received this- day at 1.0 p.m.). CHUNGKING, February 15. The Chinese Government announces honours for two generals leading guerillas in . the Hope) Province. KAISHEK’S ORDERS. (Received this day at 1.0 p.m.). , CHUNGKING, February 15. General Chiang Kaishek ordered General Wang, garrison commander at Hainan, to continue resistance to the Japanese occupation. Tn Hie ,'mearitiine, guerilla bands have reached the outskirts of Hankow and raided the Wuchang aerodrome. Prince; Sha, the aged Mongolian leader, Avho arrived by air, stated the Mongolians Avere supporting Kaishek, and had inflicted heavy losses on Japanese in Western Mongolia.

JAP. BUDGET. ' TOKIO, February 15. Supplementing the budget, ' Count Asahi stated that an additional £600,000,000 Avould prolfably be required by the special military budget and general supplementary budget being submitted to the Diet shortly. THE LANDING AT HAINAN. TOKIO, Feb. 14. . At daAvn, a landing was made at Samah, in Southern Hainan. Two forces are now advancing from the westward and eastward, thus completing the occupation. LONDON, Feb. 14.

“The Times’” Tokio correspondent, says that Mr Arita’s answer to Sir It:. Craigie was intended to imply that the Hainan occupation Avas a wax measure, and was not connected with the broader question of Pacific strategy. It is claimed that Marshal KaiShek has not been reduced to a provincial Avar lordship, because, he continues to receive foreign supplies. Japan was, therefore, playing on Franco-British fears, . to indiioe the closing of the routes across their territory, after Avliich Marshal Kai-Shek Avould be deprived of supplies, and would be unable to continue the guer r ilia war on a national scale. “The Times” adds: It is safe to suppose that the Japanese Admiralty has plans for the possible use of Hainan Island as a base for the southern advance, hut it is doubtful whether visions of commanding the Pacific enter into the calculation at present. The occupation is explainable by the imperative need to end the Oliina Avar.

TANKS FOR CHINA. v (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) RANGOON, February 15. An American steamer is unloading tAA'o hundred light tanks for delivery to China. METAL SHORTAGE. TOKIO, February 15. Iron lamp posts, railings, benches, lids and manholes are being removed from all streets for the manufacture of munitions. Ash trays and braziers in all Government offices are also being scrapped.