JAPANESE CLAIM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 9 May 1939, Page 5

JAPANESE CLAIM

CHINESE TROOPS CUT OFF CIIIANG KAI-SHEK’S ARMY I'U.P.A.— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 9th May, 10.15 a.m.) TOKIO. Bth May. The Japanese claim to hsve cut off one-fiifth of General Chiang Kai-shek’s 100,000 troops retreating north-east of Hankow. TWENTY DIVISIONS ROUTED (Received 9th May. 12.10 p.m.) • LONDON. Bth May. The Shanghai correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the Japanese claim that their counter-offen-sive in northern Hupeh has smashed the Chinese attempt to recapture Hankow. The Japanese deployed on an eight, mile front between Sinyang and Hanlu and claim to have routed twenty Chinese divisions. NOT TO BE RELAXED BOMBING OF CHUNGKING SHANGHAI. Bth May. After causing casualties estimated at 8000 or 9000 in Chungking in three days’ bombing raids, the Japanese announce that they will not relax the raids till the city is evacuated. For the first time in the whole campaign a Japanese spokesman used the term “belligerent rights” as justification for the attack on Chungking. He added that a state of war exists despite the absence of a declaration. Air raids have forced the remainder of the inhabitants underground. MUNICIPAL CONTROL OF SHANGHAI ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN (Received 9th May. 12.10 p.m.) LONDON. Bth May. Mr R. A. Butler, Parliamentary Un-der-Secretarv for Foreign Affairs, in the House of Commons, said that the Government would not concur in any changes in the municipal control of Shanghai without consulting all parties.