JAPANESE OFFENSIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 9

JAPANESE OFFENSIVE

PROGRESS IN MANCHTJKUO

REBEL LEADER RETIRING SEVERE WINTER CONDITIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (-Received December 5, .7.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Dec. 5 The general offensive launched by the combined Japanese and Manchukuo forces in the direction of PTailap on November ,30 was halted temporarily in the Hingan Mountains, where plans are being prepared for a final drive toward Hailar. Japanese reports state that Hailar, a thriving railway market town on the western section of the Oreat Chinese Eastern Railway, was bombed by Japanese aircraft, compelling General Su Pingwen's hurried departure bv camel train, although the town is still heir] by anfiManchulmo forces, who have 250 Japanese prisoners. The immediate purpose of the Japanese drive was to release these prisoners. Ihe Nipponese are campaigning under difficult conditions. The temperature, is 40 below zero. The "plains are covered with snow and the rivers are frozen. OPIUM RIGHTS STRUGGLE FOR POSSESSION BITTER SHANTUNG FIGHTING (Received December 5, 7.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Dec. 0 ■ Although the Shantung civil war has I been satisfactorily settled, rival generals are fighting bitterly for the possession of opium rights in the province, where during the past year arable lands were "converted into poppy fields and enormous quantities of the native drug manufactured.