VAST FLOODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23067, 18 June 1938, Page 15

VAST FLOODS

TROOPS MAROONED CHINESE REFUGEES INVADERS GIVE AID SCENE OF DESOLATION 500,000 HOMELESS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received Juno 17, 11.20 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Juno 17 A day of ceaseless rain threatens worse floods in the Yellow and Yangtse Rivers. Correspondents report that various Japanese units have been marooned and are being provisioned by aeroplanes. Reuter's special correspondent, who had a 1000-mile tour in a Japanese Army aeroplane, describes a scene of desolation in Honan, north and south of the Lunghai railway. A stream from eight to 10 miles wide is spreading in a south-westerly direction between Chengcliow and Kaifeng, and seems likely to junction with the Yangtse via the Grand Canal. Two long sections of the Lunghai railway are submerged. At least 500,000 people have fled from their homes and thousands of farmhouses are submerged. Refugees Crowd Hills Two small hills visible -to the west of Kaifeng are teeming with refugees. Japanese Army pontoons are ferrying those rescued to Kaifeng. Japanese Army leaders at Peking declare the Chinese prepared the breaches in the Yellow Hiver dykes three months ago in anticipation of their retreat and blew them up on Juno 11. Japanese engineers attempting repairs the next day were fired on by the Chinese and ten were killed. The Japanese say it is impossible to repair the dykes under Chinese fire, so the flow of the Yellow River must continue until the normal autumn recession. 4 The inundation from the Yellow River's broken dykes has passed Fukuo, and is surging down on Chowkiakow, 40 miles west of Honan, at the junction of the Kailu and Tasha Rivers, 95 miles from the original breaches. Reuter's special correspondent says the waters are four miles from Kaifeng, which has thrice before been destroyed by floods. It lies 20ft. below the river bed. Resistance Stiffening, Chinese resistance to the Japanese advance on Hankow is stiffening as the floods increase under endless rain. The Yangtse is 20 feet above normal. Chinese artillery sank six Japanese motor-boats and 20 canvas boats, from which landings on the north and south banks of the Yangtse were being attempted. The Chinese report a clearance of the south bank and the recapture of Chienkiangkow and Suitoushan, on the north bank, where infantry is doggedly attacking. Missionaries of all creeds have united to succour the wounded refugees. Their dressers recently changed the bandages of 40,000 Chinese wounded from Hsuchow passing through Kaifene. Cholera and smallpox have appeared.