CRUSHING DEFEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 9

CRUSHING DEFEAT

JAPANESE IN NORTH GENERAL WITHDRAWAL CHINESE FLANK MOVEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 31, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 31 The Chinese are inflicting a crushing defeat on the Japanese on the Tientsin-Pukow line, says a message from Hankow. The invaders have begun a general withdrawal in the Kingyi sector. They are being hotly pursued after their failure to rescue 5000 of their compatriots, who were encircled.

It is revealed from Hankow that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek narrowly escaped death in an air battle yesterday when lie visited the Tientsin-Nanking railway front. He was flying to Suchow, escorted by 14 Chinese aeroplanes, which 2-1 Japanese fighters attacked. According to a Chinese report five Japanese and two Chinese aeroplanes were shot down.

The Chinese are carrying out a flank movement at Tsining to prevent other rescue troops approaching. They are also destroying the railways in the Japanese rear, thus cutting off reinforcements frcm the north. The Australian Associated Press states that messages from official quarters confirm the Japanese setbacks. Moreover, the Chinese are confident of forcing the Japanese further back. There is, however, considerable apprehension as to the result of the position arising therefrom. Evidently the Japanese have over-reached themselves and realise that the men, money, material and armaments necessary to reinforce their campaign will constitute an enormous strain on their resources. The possibility, therefore, cannot be overlooked that the Japanese may be driven to desperate measures elsewhere, especially in connection with foreign interests. This would create a very delicate situation in the Far East, and even in the Pacific, especially if the Japanese considered it necessary to apply a blockade against the Chinese.

FEARS OF RUSSIA

JAPANESE PRECAUTIONS FORCES IN CHINA WEAKENED LONDON, March 30 The fear of Russian action is increasing the anxieties of the Japanese, says the Shanghai correspondent of tho Daily Telegraph. This necessitates the concentration of a sufficient force to deal with emergencies and thereby deprives the armies in China of adequate forces to deal with the growing difficulty of the situation. It is reported from Hsinking that tho Soviet is strengthening the defences in Outer Mongolia where thero are already 50,000 infantry supported by cavalry and motorised sections of artillery and aircraft.

CLAIMS BY BRITAIN INJURY AND LOSS OF LIFE DAMAGE TO SHIPPING British Wirolesa RUGBY, Murcti 80 The House of Commons was informed to-day that claims have been presented to the Japanese Government in respect of injury or loss of lifo to members of the British forces in China totalling £2420, which sum has already been paid by tho Japanese Government.

Instructions have also been stent to the British Embassador to Japan, Sir Robert Craigie, for presentation of claims for damage to merchant shipping during incidents on the Yangt.se last December, the precise amount of which has not yet been determined, but is in the region of £250,000. Other claims to the number of 34 and amounting to more than £7OOO, are also the subject of preliminary notification to the Japanese authorities in China.