IN THE FAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1940, Page 5

IN THE FAR EAST

JAP. FORCES

MOVING SOUTHWARDS.

(United Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright) HANOI, Dec. 5. / ; A freighter captain r arriving at Haiphong, reported that he sighted a number of Japanese transports steaming southwards, south of Hainan Island. SHANGHAI, Dec. 5. A foreign military official received reports that the largest number of Japanese transports seen so far have concentrated at Hainan in the past few days. They, are capable of-carry-ing a large expeditionary force. Pre-. sumably the freighter captain’s report J refers to part of the same concen- ■ tration., , ' 1 - ' \ JAPANESE OFFENSIVE. CHUNGKING, Dec. 5. Severe fighting is proceeding in the Central Yangtse Valley, in the vicinity of Pengtseh below Kiugiang. The , Japanese forces have launched attacks . • on Chinese positions on the south, bank of the Yangtse River, where Chinese have been threatening, the Japanese shipping plying between Shanghai and Hankow. RAILWAY STATION BOMBED. SHANGHAI, Dec. 5. A Kunming message states that Japanese planes bombed Chihtsun station, wounding a number of Chi- ; nese civilians, also two French railroad staff. v v- ' LOAN FROM RUSSIA. • SHANGHAI, Dec. 5. Coincident with Russia’s notification to Japan that the Soviet policy _ towards China remains unchanged, it is persistently rumouired in .Shanghai that Russia is on the verge of extending to China a substantial l6an, and also increasing aid by the Russian road route. A .-..v. - ’ - ;

PLANS TO CONVINCE U.S.A.

TOKIO, Dec. 5.

It is learned that Admiral Nomura (Japanese Ambassador to U.S.A.), is planning a visit to China before going to Washington.-Presumably this is for first-hand information on the China background in relation tm tho ' American situation, in order to make, more effective endeavours at Washingtion. j4dmjffal |smjgp. iisehgspled leave for the United States on Deccernber 28, but his China trip may delay him until late in January. His exact China itinerary has not been learned.

JAPANESE ARMY FEELING, SHANGHAI, December, 6. : The Japanese military journal ‘l‘Sinshunpoa,” has demanded that Japan shall deliver to the United States a smashing blow, and thus extinguish its support of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek: at Chungking. It says: “We hate the United States more than’ we hate Chungking. The time will come when either we shall swallow the United; States or. they shall swallow us/ 1 . .. ;

'A SHOOTING \ HANKOW, Deember 6. Two hours before the arrival of General Abe on an inspection, tour, three Chinese shot and critically wounded Hsitoatse, the newly appointed Chief of the General Affairs Bureau,