FRANCE ACTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23082, 6 July 1938, Page 13

FRANCE ACTS

ISLANDS_SEIZED PARACEL_GROUP BRITAIN NOTIFIED CONCERN IN JAPAN apprehension caused By Telegraph—Press Association—iCopyrlght (Received July 5, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 6 The news is confirmed in London that Franco has occupied the Paracel Islands, south-east of Hainan, and within easy flying distance of Indo-China. These islands consist of a series of reefs and lagoons suitable for a seaplane base and are not permanently settled. It is, therefore, in the interests of France that they should not fall into the hands of another Power.

. France has notified Britain of the occupation. The landing -was carried out by a force of Annamite police. The islands were being used as a base by 20 Japanese seaweed gatherers. France is reported to be creating a military aerodrome at Kwang-chow-wan, a French possession on the mainland, to offset the Japanese threat to Hainan. The imminent Japanese occupation of the West Pratas Islands, opposite Canton, is "menacing the routes from Hongkong to Singapore. The Japanese press asserts that the French occupation is illegal, as it is in violation of Chinese sovereignty and integrity, but there is, nevertheless, an > apprehensive note in the articles, says the Tokio correspondent of tho Daily Telegraph. The Domei news agency reports that Japan lacks official notification of tho occupation, but is watching with concern and may make representations to France on the ground that the islands belong to China, says another message from Tokio. The French Government informed tho British Government 011 June 25 that if the Japanese landed troops on Hainan Island, off the south coast of China, as they threatened to do, and thus interfered with French rights, France would probably land an equal number of troops from vessels of a cruiser division that was standing by. She would do this irrespective of whether Britain joined her or not, but she would appreciate British support.

FALL OF HUKOW CLAIM BY JAPANESE ATTACK ON NANCHANG FURIOUS AIR BATTLES (Received July 5. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. July 5 The Japanese claim the capture of Hukow, which will open up the way for a drive to Nanchang by land and vater. / The capture of Hukow gives Japan control of 440 miles of the Yangtse River, says a message from Tokio. The boom at Matang has been demolished and 256 mines have been swept up. Half a dozen Chinese minelayers and a dozen high-speed motor torpedo-boats are operating between Hankow and Kiukiang. A British gunboat is the only foreign vessel remaining at Kiukiang. Japanese airmen in 50 aeroplanes dropped hundreds of bombs in an effort to destroy the Nanchang air base. They engaged in a fierce battle, in which they claim to have shot down 51 Chinese machines, representing almost the entire front line, in furious "dog fights." The Japanese say they demolished the old and new aerodromes, losing only one aeroplane. A Japanese naval spokesman said that as the result of the raid, China s front-line aeroplanes can now be counted upon two hands. The Japanese assert, says a message from Tokio, that eight of the Chinese bombers shot down at Anking yesterday were of Russian manufacture and piloted by Russians. Returning home, the chief German adviser to the Chinese, General Falkenhausen, said:' "I feel sure of China's final victory. Japan will fail in both *ar and pea^c."