Notes on the News Hong Kong And China

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 November 1938, Page 5

Notes on the News Hong Kong And China

The Japanese are reported to he Id the neighbourhood of Ilong Kong. “Japan's new expedition against south China aims at isolating Ilong Kong, the British port through which China has maintained her lust seaward connexion with the outside world,” states R. T. Barrett, formerly editor of the “Ilong Kong Daily Press.” “Since the outbreak of hostilities with Japan it is through Hong Kong that China lias been drawing the bulk of her war supplies and carrying on her export trade. As Japan is not officially at war with China, she does not enjoy belligerent rights, and the British naval authorities have firmly refused to tolerate any interference with British ships carrying cargo into Hong Kong. No right of search: has been admitted —nothing more than a demand to see identification papers. ‘The Japanese Navy has thus had the mortification of seeing quantities of war material pouring into the British colony for transhipment inland to the Chinese armies. They have watched the same ships leave with their holds filled with t lie exports by which China’s credit has been maintained. It is for these reasons that the Navy Office of Tokio has long been urging either a declaration of war or an expedition gaainst South China.

“The present expedition, launched from the wilds of Bias Bay, a famous haunt of pirates, aims at throwing a cordon round Ilong Kong and blocking both rail and river traffic. It seeks to reduce Ilong Kong from one of the greatest ports of the world tc Its original stfitns of , M ‘elated Nb.m,

“In advancing from Bias Bay the invaders will have to contend with mountainous country, alternating with stretches of rice fields. These will he dry at the present time, but offer difficulties to a mechanised force. Of roads there are none.”