PUCHOW CAPTURED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 224, 20 August 1938, Page 12

PUCHOW CAPTURED

A JAPANESE GAIN. STRATEGIO ADVANTAGE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received August 20, 12.50 p.m. TOKIO, Aug. 19. A Japanese announcement states that they have captured Pucliow, tlie southern terminus of the Shansi railway, facing Tungkwan, the key city of the Lunghai railway across the Yellow River. The Chinese are reported to have left 1500 dead. It is claimed that the capture means the collapse of the Chinese attempts to retake Shansi Province. Tungkwan' is described as an outpost of Sian, the capital of Shensi, and the junction of the “Red Route,” along which supplies are being sent to China from Russia. The Japanese have launched largescale operations in the Shantung area with the object of clearing out 42,000 guerrilla troons. COUNTER-ATTACK LIKELY. A Hankow message states that the Chinese, admitting the loss of Pucliow, state tliat their troops in Southern Shansi are being reimorced, and it is expected that they will make a coun-ter-attack against Puchow, winch is of strategic importance. The Japanese are heavily shelling tne west bank of the Yellow River in an attempt to prevent concentration of troops. It is admitted that the Japanese are now in a favourable position to invade either Shensi or Honan Provinces, the Chinese are doing their utmost to block both avenues. The Chinese broke, the Japanese lines at Shaho, on the southern front, and reached the outskirts of Iviukiang, an captured several peaks north ot bhano which were abandoned in the face or poison gas, but they are holding Shaho. SUPPORT FOR CHINA. “SOVIET WILL HELP.” WAR WITH JAPAN INEVITABLE. Received August 20, 1.30 p.m HONG KONG, Aug. 19. Mr Sun Fo, president ol the Legislative Yuan (China’s Parliament), on his return from Moscow, said: “Very active support for China is forthcoming from Russia. Moscow will not stand by idle and see China fight alone. Because of repeated provocation from Tokio a war between Russia and Japan is inevitable. Tlie Half-settlement of the Changkufeng affair will not deflect Moscow’s policy in the slightest.’ In an effort to tighten the blockade on the south coast, Japanese warships shelled Chaoyang. Sixty persons were killed. The Japanese hope to cut off Hankow’s supplies and end the deadlock on the Yangtse.