Big Battle Planned

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 43, 21 February 1938, Page 7

Big Battle Planned

Chisa’s Last Effort To Stem Invasion JAPAN COUNTS UP HER GAINS United Presa Association—By aaectrte Telegraph.—Oopyrixbt. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. TOKIO, Feb. 10. The Japanese occupy 287,000 square miles of North China and 27,000 of Central China, which is slightly less than the area of the Japanese Empire. Estimated Chinese casualties on the Peking, Hankow and Shansi fronts last week were 30,000. It is reported that China plans a last big battle at Hankow with 40 fresh and well-equipped divisions. If it does not prove Japan’s Waterloo, the Chinese will withdraw to the mountains and maintain guerilla warfare throughout the country. NATIONAL MOBILISATION IN JAPAN Received Sunday, 7 p.m. TOKIO, Feb. 18. Imperial headquarters announce the replacement and reorganisation of forces in China to cope with long term hostilities and the lengthening of communications. Cabinet has approved the National Mobilisation Bill which will be submitted to the Diet to morrow. It ii determined to force it through. CHINESE AIR VICTORY Received Sunday, 7 p.m. HANKOW, Feb. 19. Two raiding Japanese bombers and three fighters wero shot down near Hankow when 17 Chinese planes intercepted 15 Japanese. The Chinese lost one. ASHES RETURNED TO JAPAN Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 19. The steamer Mikasa has left for Japan with urns containing the ashes of 13,000 Japanese soldiers killed in action. THREE-MILES-LONG BRIDGE DEMOLISHED Received (Sunday, 11 p.m. HANKOW, Feb. 20. In attempting to check the Japanese advance, the Chinese blew up a three-mile-long bridge on the Pcipiug-Hankow railway across the Yellow river. It was one of the finest examples of modern engineering in China. GRUESOME WARNING NOTICE Received Sunday, II p.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 20. The decapitated head of a Chinese was found in the French Concession affixed to a telegraph post. Beneath was a notice stating: “Let this be a warning to the anti-Japanese. ”