CHINESE RETREATING

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3438, 3 March 1932, Page 5

CHINESE RETREATING

TERRIFIC JAPANESE ARTILLERY FIRE. CHINESE NERVE-WRACKED AND TERRIFIED. (Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received 11.45 a.m.) Shanghai, March 2. With the exception of Woosung. where a large body of Chinese troops are cut off and still holding the village, the Chinese troops have retreated on every front under the pressure of Japanese artillery and aeroplane bombers.

After the railway communications to Nanking were severed in accordance with the Japanese warning, the Chinese retreat developed into a rout, though the Chinese insist that it is only a tactical manoeuvre of falling back on the second line of defences.

The Japanese believe that the war is practically over, but the Chinese maintain it is only beginning, and they are waiting till the Japanese are drawn into the interior, away from their bases.

The Eleventh Japanese Division, which took Liuho, has advanced a considerable distance towards Tazang, which the Chinese have abandoned, and another mixed Japanese division captured after a final skirmish with the retreating Chinese rearguard. Hundreds of dead are still lying on the areas devastated by the Japanese bombardment during the past week. A huge concentration of Chinese along the Tazang-Chengju front turned into a fleeing rabble, nervewrecked and terrified, seeking vainly for shelter from the attacking planes. A considerable force of Chinese outside Chengfu rallied and attempted a counter-attack, but were quickly repulsed with heavy losses, and joined the general stampede towards Quinsan. It is not likely that they will make a serious stand this side of that place. Peace conversations continued toaboard the Kent, and will resume tomorrow.

NEW STATE OF MANCHURIA. PROCLAMATION AT MUKDEN. MANCHOUKUO NEW TITLE. (Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received 10.5 a.m.) Peking, March 2. Manchuria passed under a new flag on Tuesday, when the establishment of an autonomous State, embracing the Provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, Keilungkiang, plus Jehol and the autonomous Mongol territory, was officially proclimed at Mukden by General'Chang Ching Hki.

The new State is called Manchoukuo.