JAPANESE GRIP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 November 1937, Page 5

JAPANESE GRIP

TIGHTENING ON NANKING EVAC If ATIO .V A LRE AD Y COMMENCED i ] CAPITAL BEING TRANSFERRED TO INTERIOR I 1 j NO SIGN OF COLLAPSE OF CHINESE MORALE [United Piths Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy rightl (Received 19lh November, 10.27 a.m.) LONDON, 18th November. A message from Nanking states that the Japanese grip is tightening on Nanking, the evacuation of which has reached a stage bordering on panic. Ait British citizens will be concentrated in 1 the vicinity of the Embassy to enable offiicals to lake the entire community aboard warships anchored in the river. American warships are also ready to evacuate nationals ! The Tokio correspondent of “The | Times” says that although there is a danger that the voluntary disemetnberment of the Nanking Government and the dispersal of its departments to remote places wilt be followed by a | breakdown of the central authority, | Japan is confident that she will be able j to cope with any situation that may | arise. The removal of the capital to j the interior is a feature of strategy which the Chinese never concealed. Nanking's decision has not surprised the Japanese, whose airmen have proved that no part of China is beyond their reach. The Government will be pursued and attacked wherever it goes. According to Japanese reports from Shanghai, one section of the Government admitted defeat and wanted to ask for an armistice. Another demanded war to the bitter end. General KaiShek's decision destroys hope that-the Chinese might abandon resistance after the fall of Shanghai, but the Japanese have been prepared for an extended struggle. The Tokio correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” says that the Emperor has sanctioned establishment of an Imperial headquarters to assume the supreme control of hostilities. It will co-ordinate the activities of the army and navy free from political control, and accelerate victory. Its membership is confined to high army and navy officers under the Emperor, and tho chiefs of the army and navy staffs. The public regards its transfer from Nanking as the first indication of the collapse of the National Government. It is realised, however, that such a collapse will not necessarily end the war. This can come only with the collapse of the Chinese morale, of which no signs are visible.