Unexpected Hold-Up Worries Tokio Chiefs

Northern Advocate, 27 January 1938, Page 7

Unexpected Hold-Up Worries Tokio Chiefs

Military Observers Consider, There Is Hitch Somewhere

(Received 2 ,0 p.m.)

LONDON, January 26. r JpiIE SHANGHAI CORRESPONDENT OF “THE TIMES’ AND THE

BRITISH UNITED PRESS SHANGHAI REPRESENTATIVE SUGGEST A HOLD-UP OF THE JAPANESE ADVANCE ON THE STRATEGIC LUNG HAI RAILWAY “THE TIMES” REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO MOVEMENTS FOR A WEEK.

Military observers are of opinion that 4 a hitch has occurred somewhere. The Japanese, after a long period with no opposition, are now encountering strong resistance. They are compelled to await reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Chinese claim minor successes in countering attacks between Tsing and Yenchow.

The British United Press correspondent says the most active Japanese column 'has made no progress for 10 days.

Chinese gyerilla forces at Suiyuan have been ordered to begin a general offensive to prevent the transfer of Japanese to Lung Hai

Scores Drowned

Chinese are closing in on Tsining on three sides and claim to have driven back the Japanese on the Wei River. Scores were drowned under withering machine-gun fire. Chinese recaptured Lungwangmaio and also claim to be surrounding Chuang-chueng, in Anhwei Province. Another Shanghai message says there are the best reasons to believe that Tokio is worried at the continued hold-up of the Japanese advance. Weather and insufficiency of troops are hampering Japanese, but they arc also encountering unexpected and \tery powerful opposition. General Matsui is reported to have appealed for four more divisions. Few Fortifications, The Tokio correspondent of the “Asahi Shimbun” says that on a three-hour flight along the Lung Hai railway he had not sighted one Chinese soldier. Fortifications were not substantial.

General Matsui will visit Hangchow, where 1500 Chinese were

killed trying to cross the river,

The Chinese claim that their air raid on Nanking destroyed 20 Japanese planes.

An air raid caused heavy Japanese casualties at Wuhu. where Japanese warships were pounding Chinese positions.

Sino-Jap. Economic Commission Set Up (Received 10 a.m.) PEKING. January 26. The Peking Government is creating a Sino-Japanese economic commission under the chairmanship of a former Chinese Minister of Customs, assisted by three Chinese and three Japanese. Jap. Goods To Be Carried In Jap. Ships Only? (Received 1.20 p.m.) LONDON. January 26'. The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” says that as a measure of support for Japanese exchange, Mr Shozo Murata, chairman of the second largest Japanese shipping line, and president of the Shipowners’ Association, has submitted to Cabinet a plan for carrying all Japanese commodities in Japanese ships. Foreigners taking Japanese cargoes would require an official permit.

The correspondent says: The scheme would increase earnings of Japanese shipping by 160,000,000 yen per year.