STRONG ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 13

STRONG ATTACK

NORTHERN FRONT JAPANESE PRESSING ON WALLED CITY CAPTURED ASSURANCE AT PEKING By Telegraph—Press Association--Copyright Times Cable LONDON, August 'JO The Peking correspondent of the Times says tho Japanese military authorities in Tientsin announce the occupation of Ivalgan, ITwailai and Pataling. Retreating Chinese took every advantage of mountainous country but failed to blow up long tunnels in the region of the Great Wall. Japanese aeroplanes, hampering the Chinese retreat from Kalgan, bombed Tatung and set fire to the station, then pressed the attack against the foothills north-west of Liangsiang. Tho Japanese also claim the capture of the walled city of Chinghai, to. tho south of Tientsin. Tho Chinese are reported to have left 500 dead and over 1000 wounded at Chinghai. Tho Japanese casualties wero 57 dead and 70 wounded. Tho Japanese say Peking may expect to hear gunfire as the result of operations against irregulars infesting tho countryside. Tho Japanese Embassy has assured other Embassies that there is no intention of using tho diplomatic quarter of Peking for military purposes.

USE OF POISON GAS ALLEGATION BY CHINESE NANKOW PASS HOSTILITIES (Received August 27, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 27 The Nanking correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says a communique issued from Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's headquarters alleges that the Japanese are using poison gas in the Nankow Pass area, where the Chinese are reported to bo still resisting stubbornly.

AEROPLANES DESTROYED * CLAIMS MADE IN TOKIO FEW COMPARATIVE LOSSES (Received August 27, 0.5 p.m.) TOKIO, August 27 It is claimed in Tokio that 176 Chinese aeroplanes and 25 hangars have been destroyed between August 14 and 25. The Japanese lost 16 aeroplanes.

POLICY OF BRITAIN CONFIRMATION AT MEETINGS COLLABORATION WITH POWERS British Wireless RUGBY, August 26 At tho conclusion of the Prime Minister's meetings yesterday with the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, and Viscount Halifax, when in particular the latest information regarding tho situation in tho Far East was examined and the broad lines of British policy already announced confirmed, and in part extended, Mr. Chamberlain travelled to Balmoral, where he will spend tho week-end as tho guest of the King. A report issued after tho meetings observed with satisfaction the close collaboration that had been maintained with other Governments, especially the American and French, and added that they regard it as most important that such collaboration should continue. Referring to tho Japanese decision to strike hardest in Shanghai, which is the centre of huge foreign interests, tho Times says tho reSult of Japanese action since that decision was taken has in many cases mado tho dauger of loss a disastrous reality. Tho latest impartial estima-es put tho value of British interests in Yangtse-poo, which district of Shanghai is already most battered arid most threatened, at £170,000,000. Tho whole area, north and east of Soochow Creek, has often been called a Japanese district because several hundred Japanese small traders have set up there, but it could much more rightly he called a British district, for in it are tho British Utility Company—water, gas and electricity—and large factories and warehouses. „