HEAVY LOSSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 20 October 1937, Page 5

HEAVY LOSSES

WAR IN CHINA . | JAPANESE SORELY PRESSED WINTRY CONDITIONS CAUSE i SLUTER INC (United Press Association—H.v Electric Tel earn ph Copyrightl LONDON. 18th October. Heavy losses on built sides arc re- \ ported from the battle area north ot j Taipuan, where riii.OOO Japanese were surrounded. The Chinese attempted to make an annihilation drive before the arrival of Japanese reinforcements, and claim to have captured 800 rifles, 100 machine-guns. 10 lield-guns, and 80 tanks. Packets of cigarettes, food, and ammunition descended in the Chinese lines from Japanese planes. The (lyers apparently had mistaken the lines. Tokio admits that the Japanese are sorely pressed and suffering severely. Sleet is falling. The troops are still wearing their summer uniforms. “ANTI-COMMUNIST WALL” CLAIM BY JAPAN OBJECTIVE IN TILE NORTH ACHIEVED (Received 20th October. 9.0 a.m.) LONDON. 19th October. The “Daily Telegraph's” Tokio correspondent says that with the occupation of Paotow in the Suipuan province Japan claims to have erected what is described as a 1000-mile long "anticommunist wall.” stretching from Manchukuo, through Suiyuan, and thence to North Shansi and Hopei and almost to the sea. Inside lies the rich Shantung province. which is reported to be arming to the teeth against the Japanese. The “Daily Telegraph’s” special Shanghai correspondent reports that the significance of Paotow is that it governs the northern route between Russia and China. It is the terminus of the Pekin-Suipuan railway and lies near the route connecting Siberia with Mongolia and China. By holding this region, Japan re- | duces China’s chances of receiving arms | from Russia. This has been one of the I chief objectives of the Japanese of- ! fcnsivc. SHANGHAI FRONT CHINESE COUNTER-ATTACKLIXG j CLAIM TO HAVE GAINED GROUND I (Received 20lh October, 9.55 a.m.) SHANGHAI, 19th October, j The Japanese spokesman admits that | the Chinese instead of retreating are being reinforced and are counter attacking on the Shanghai front. He indicated an extension of Japanese activities, under which all trains will be regarded as military objectives. Chinese claim to have gained ground ! in a counter-attack across the Shang- ] hai-Woosung railway.

FIFTEEN CHINESE ’PLANES DAMAGED

TREATY PORT OF PAKHOI SHELLED

(Received 20th October, 9.55 a.m.) NANKING, 19th October

Inhabitants fled from their beds to chilly dugouts during two Japanese air raids early this morning, in which it is claimed fifteen Chinese planes were damaged, and thirty-one in raids on Hankow.

Japanese warships shelled the treaty port of Pakhoi. Shore batteries frustrated a landing.

AIR RAID ON JAPANESE SHIPS

I SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS CAUSED | (Received 20th October, 1.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI. 19th October. | Following an intense artillery bar- ' | rage Japanese again attacked on a long ! front north of the city, and stormed Tazang and occupied part of it. The Chinese, reporting the arrival of 3000 Japanese reinforcements and ’ j others en route, state that Chinese war- | planes last night attacked a fleet of ! warships and transports o(T Liuho, causing explosions on several warships. The Chinese allege that the reinforcements are due to the failure of the four big Japanese offensives. The fact is that whereas Japanese power to replace losses is limited, the Chinese are able to make good the heaviest casualties without delay. The Japanese, therefore, continue bombing and shelling in an endeavour to destroy communications. 150 CIVILIANS KILLED Japanese warplanes again were most active to-day. One hundred and fifty civilians were killed in five raids on Nanking. Two cars en route to Nanking were attacked from the air. They contained an Italian naval officer, a German, Russian, and Chinese, who fled to the fields | unhurt. The cars were riddled with i bullets. | CASUALTIES IN INTERNATIONAL ! SETTLEMENT i It is announced that 2057 non-combat-ants were killed and 2955 injured in the International Settlement by misdirected bombs, shells and bullets to loth October. SOVIET HELPFOR CHINA REGIMENT OF MONGOLIAN INFANTRY REPORT FROM MOSCOW r , (Received 20th October. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. 19th October ' The Warsaw correspondent of Hit I 'Daily Mail” says the Soviet has tie ' ided to despatch a regiment of Mons ’oiian motorised infantry to help China ■ nevent Japan occupying Suiyuan. r vhicli is serving as a Soviet base for r nilitarv supplies to China. 'i NINE-POWER CONFERENCE i j JAPAN’S ATTENDANCE s NO DECISION REACHED II - ._. 3 (Received 20th October. 9.55 a.m.) a | TOKIO, 19th October, el At a meeting of all parties no dc e | eision was reached regarding Japan’s ;. attendance at the Nine-Power Confcrf ence at Brussels. :l j The “Ashi Shimbun” suggests that I Japan will participate only if the sole

purpose is to study the true cause of the unrest in the east and devise a remedy. SINKING OF CHINESE JUNKS EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY SURVIVORS MACHINE-GUNNED (Received 20th October, 9.05 a.in.) HONG KONG, 19th October. Giving evidence at the inquiry into the sinking of Chinese junks, allegedly by the Japanese, two owners described short range attacks by a two-gun submarine, the crew being uniformed like Japanese. Later the attackers machinegunned seventeen survivors in a sampan, killing nine. SILKWORTH’S CHINESE CREW SIX IN SYDNEY MOVEMENTS KEPT SECRET (Received 20th October, 11.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Six members of the Silkworth’s Chinese crew, who were missing when thirty of their comrades were charged with being absent from the ship without leave at Newcastle yesterday, are now in Sydney. They were conveyed by car from Newcastle, keeping as much as possible off the main road, their movements being being directed by supporters of the “Hands Off China” Committee formed by trade unions. The missing men are remaining under cover and intend changing their lodgings from night to night. BOYCOTT MOVEMENT PRECIPITATE ACTION OPPOSED APPEAL BY MR J. A. LYONS MELBOURNE, 19th October. The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, speaking on Belgium’s invitation to Australia and other Dominions to the conference on the Far East situation, concluded by saying: “My attention has been directed to the fact that certain organisations contemplate a boycott of Japanese goods. I appeal to the people to refrain from any precipitate action in this delicate situation and to leave i to the Government the initiation of any !measures which might be necessary on behalf of the people of Australia.” SYDNEY RESOLUTION SYDNEY, 19th October. A gathering of 2000 people in the City Town Hall to-night, under the auspices of the Sydney Labour Council. adopted a resolution expressing horror at the wanton aggression by Japan in China, advocating a complete boycott of Japanese goods .calling upon the Commonwealth Government to prohibit imports from Japan, and advising all workers to refuse to work ships trading with Japan