THE FAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 6

THE FAR EAST

CHINESE REPORT. (United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright). SHANGHAI, September 24. The Chinese at Changsha claim to have, prevented Japanese air, land, and‘naval attacks developing into a large-scale offensive from the Yangtse*kiang. 1 1 They declare that a Japanese attempt to land troops 60 miles north of Changsha under a bombardment by gunboats was repulsed with the destruction of 30 landing boats and many occupants. ‘ s -' ' The Japanese claim to have advanced down the Canton-Hankow railway to within 50 miles of Changsha, the' attack on which from Nanchang continued with heavy fighting. Aerial activity is reported for 200 miles east of the west fronts and 100 miles north of the south fronts. Simultaneously the peace offensive has been intensified through propaganda supporting the new Government under Mi Wang Ghing-wei. A Chinese report from Chungking states that Japanese aeroplanes raid-, ed the coastline of Fukien province south of Foochow and. bombed Fuelling, Ping-tien, Putien, and Changlo. TIENTSIN INCIDENT. BRITISH AND JAPANESE EXCHANGE SHOTS. TIENTSIN, September 24. British and Japanese troops exchanged fire at 3.30 a.m. on the border of the British concession after the Japanese had fired on three sampans attempting to run the blockade to avoid being trapped in the receding floodwaters. A British patrol rushed to. the concession boundary when'they heard the firing. A Japanese bullet passed over their heads and the British fired , one round whereupon the firing ceased. There were no casualties. REPORTS OF SLAUGHTER, SHANGHAI, September 25. Chinese and Japanese reports estimated that 20,000 soldiers were killed in the drive on Changsha, cabled on September 24. Japanese claimed they have advanced within twenty-five miles of the city, contradicting .an earlier report. Each claimed the other’s casualties Were 10X00.