ADVANCE HALTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23169, 15 October 1938, Page 13

ADVANCE HALTED

JAPANESE INVASION HEAVY FIGHTING IN SOUTH FIERCE CHINESE RESISTANCE 400,000 TO EVACUATE CANTON By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 15, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON*, Oct. 14 The Japanese who arc invading South China and whose transports are still discharging troops at Bias Bay encountered the first line of the Chinese defence at points west of Hachung, states the Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press. There they tried all day aided by bombing aeroplanes to overcome fierce Chinese resistance. Tho scenes of heaviest fighting were between Pingshan and Nanshan. The Japaneso bombed Tamshui into ruins, but sustained a repulse at Aotao. Tho Chinese destroyed bridges leading to Waiehow, the first main objective of the Japanese. The second Japanese invading force is expected to land at Namtau, cut through the railway north from Shumclian, and join the Bias Bay troops. All communications between Hongkong and Canton are disrupted. Four hundred thousand people are evacuating Canton at . the Government's expense.

Tlio seat of the municipal and provincial Governments is being moved inland to Yumgyuen. The Hongkong correspondent of the Times says that the Japanese are continuing air bombing along the railways. The Chinese admit the loss of 800 in resisting the landing, but assert that the Japanese lost 400. One hundred Japanese aeroplanes bombed towns in the Kwantung Province, including Waichow, leaving a trail of destruction. Train services at Canton are suspended. One hundred foreign refugees, including Germans, arrived from Canton. Pearl River is closed, bottling up four British gunboats, one French and one American, and 12 British merchantmen. The Japanese Navy spokesman announces that the Canton-Kowloon railway was cut at several points. Naval and military forces are advancing smoothly. He adds that 2000 Chinese were wiped out at an undisclosed spot. The first major battle is expected at Waichow, where the "Chinese are concentrating amid a favourable terrain of lakes and hills. The authorities at Canton report that the defence preparations have been completed. It is expected that the landing on the Kwantung coast will ease the pressure on Hankow. Cantonese troops are expected to be able to protect the area without necessitating the aid of Government troops.

HONGKONG'S PLIGHT ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES FOOD SHORTAGE PROBABLE REFUGEE PROBLEM NOW ACUTE HONGKONG, Oct. 13 The Governor of Hongkong, Sir Geoffrey Stafford-Northcote, in his Budget speech, said the colony was facing a grave situation, as threequarters of the vegetables and a large proportion of the meat were drawn from the Kwantung Province, where the Japanese are advancing. The refugee problem is becoming acute, which means a heavy drain on finances.

On receiving news of the invasion, the British and other Consuls at Canton, except the German, immediately advised the women and children of their nationalities to quit the city. Thirty British women and children have left Canton for Hongkong. Japan has given a specific assurance that British rights and interests in South China will be scrupulously respected, according to Reuter's correspondent.