Japs Capture Whole of Amoy Island

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1938, Page 5

Japs Capture Whole of Amoy Island

(Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 12. It is reliably reported from Shanghai that the Japanese have captured the whole cf the' island of Amoy, including the treaty port, where fighting raged all day. The Chinese forces have retreated to the mainland. All foreigners are reported to be safe. All South China is now waiting tensely for Japan’s next move. The main concern in Hongkong, fays the “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent there, is the. security cf Canton, although all preparations to meet a Japanese attack have long been completed. Three Motives. Three possible motives are suggested for the attack on Amoy—strategic, ecnomic and psychological—says the Tokio correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” If the motive is strategic, it is believed it will foreshadow operations in the Canton area; if economic, it is the prosperous Customs revenue which attracts, and the occupation of Swatcw and Foochow may be expected to follow shortly; if psychological, it is to cheer up and encourage the Japanese public, in view of the failure to recprd a spectacular victory on the Hsuchcw front. Possibly tall three motives played a part in the Navy’s action. Occupation Complete. Japan’s occupation of Amoy Island is now complete. .. Apprehension has arisen owing to the advance of both jaws of the Japanese pinchers, endeavouring to cut the -Lungin railway west of Soochow. The Japanese vanguard has captured Mengching and Yungchen, and has reached Shikungshan, where it is meeting vigorous counter-attacks.