Defeat of Japs. In North May Create Delicate Situation

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1938, Page 7

Defeat of Japs. In North May Create Delicate Situation

■- •.. • m 'MI ; . deceived 2.30 p.m.) •: LONDON, March 30. fTHE CHINESE ARE REPORTED IN A HANKOW MESSAGE TO BE If > INFLICTING A CRUSHING DEFEAT IN THE TIENTSIN-PUKOW Iff: RAILWAY SECTOR ON THE JAPANESE, WHO HAVE BEGUN A GENERAL WITHDRAWAL IN THE KINGWI SECTOR. • The invaders are being hotly pur r l pi. tlieir -compatriots, were encircled, sued, and after failure to rescue 5000 - The Chinese are carrying out a flapl movement at Tsining to prevent ( other rescue troops from approaching. V, ' ' ' . ■ They arp also destroying the railways in the Japanese rear, thus cutting oft reinforcements from the North. , if . it-; , ; ■ : ' ' ■ . ~ ' The Australian Associated Press says that messages from official quarters confirm the Japanese setback. Moreover, the Chinese are confident of further ‘ forcing the Japanese back. i

s Possible Sequel. There is, however, considerable apprehension as to the result of the position arising therefrom. Evidently, the , Japanese have over-reached themselves, and realise that the men, money and material necessary to reinforce the campaign will constitute an enormous strain on their resources. The possibility, therefore, cannot be overlooked that the Japanese may be driven to desperate measures elsewhere, especially in connection with foreign interests. This would create a very delicate situation in the Far East, and even the Pacific, ...especially if the Japanese considered it necessary to apply a blockade against the Chinese, Fear of Russian Action. , The “Daily Telegraph’s” Shanghai correspondent says tht fear of Russian action is increasing Japanese anxieties nec'essitating the concentration of a sufficient force to deal with emergencies, and thereby depriving the armies in China of adequate forces to deal with growing difficulty of the .situation, V It is reported that the Soviet is strengthening the defences in Outer Mongolia, where there are already, ,50,0Q0 infantry, supported by cavalry and motorised sections of artilltry and aircraft. ' Improved Morale. ,'.I •; “•\ ''V „ ' , ‘ Interviewed by the Hankow correspondent y of “The Times” after a comprehensive inspection of the Northern Front, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek bore out foreign observers’ reports of the marked improvements in the morale and efficiency of the Chinese since his last visit in February, and added that war supplies gave no grounds for uneasiness. The Japan«se War Office has summoned a four-day conference of Divisional Commanders, beginning on April 5, to discuss means of coping with “the current protracted hostilities in China.