CITY SOT DEFENDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 October 1938, Page 5

CITY SOT DEFENDED

PUBLIC BUILDINGS ON FIRE PATHETDC SPECTACLE OF RETREATING CHINESE FINAL STAGE OF WAR FORESHADOWED fU.P.A.—By Eleptric Telegraph-Copyrightl (Received 26th October, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, 25th October. The Japanese officially announce that Hankow was partly occupied at 8.30 a.m. (G.M.T.) to-day. A Japanese motorised column entered the city area at 9.35 a.m. The Chinese did not defend the city and the troops withdrew. Striking from three points Japanese troops entered Hankow suburbs and firmly entrenched themselves in commanding positions. Dawn revealed an indescribably pathetic spectacle of retreating Chinese troops fleeing southward and westward. The streets were crowded with abandoned domestic household goods. The city will be another Canton as soon as the fires which are breaking out everywhere join up in a tremendous conflagration. The Chinese systematically set fire to public buildings before departing. It is reported that the refugees were machine-gunned by lowflying Japanese planes as they streamed along the highways to the west from Hankow. With the departuie of the Government, special administrative districts have been created and handed over to the refugee zone committee. One hundred bluejackets are billeted at the British Consulate. The Itailans and Americans are taking similar precautions. The gunboats Gnat and Tern are standing by off the German Concessions, and the American flagship Luzon is near the British Concession. The Yangtse above Hankow has been, closed. The Japanese believe that Hankow’s fall will mark the final stage of the hostilities.