FALL OF HANKOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 13

FALL OF HANKOW

JAPANESE IN CITY DEFENCE ABANDONED CHIANG KAI-SHEK FLEES JOURNEY IN AEROPLANE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 25', 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 A Japanese motorised > column from Whangpei entered Hankow area at 9.35 a.m. Greenwich mean time. An official message from Hankow states that the city is not being defended and the Chinese troops are being withdrawn. Explosions are occurring throughout the city, says Iteuter's Hankow correspondent. The Chinese generalissimo Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and his wife left Hankow by aeroplane to-day, says tho British United Press. Five other machines took off at varying times in the night with other officials. The destination of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek was not revealed, but later he arrived with his wife at Chengtu. The Japanese vanguard has occupied Hwanghi and the southern flank is attacking Kutienchen, while other forces are steadily advancing on Hankow, states a report from Tokio. The Japanese northern army has captured Laikatsi, within 20 miles of Hankow. The Japanese Minister of War, General Itagaki, states that • Japan will

conquer every inch of China if necessary in order to destroy Chiang Kai-shek's influence, says the Tokio correspondent of the 33ritish United Press. The Chinese Ambassador in London, Mr. Quo Tai-chi, denies rumours to the efTect that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek is contemplating resigning. He adds that the loss of Canton and even Hankow would not affect the Chinese strategy, which has always recognised Japan's advantages in the coastal regions. China was perfecting her land communications with other countries and had ample munitions for long warfare.

SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED CANTON FIRES SUPPRESSED ENORMOUS DAMAGE DONE LONDON, Oct. 24 The Japanese have now controlled the fires in Canton, which ravaged an area of six square miles, causing damage estimated at £15,000,000, says the correspondent of the Daily Mail in that city. The Japanese commanders state that the result of the operations in South China exceeded all expectations, says the Tokio correspondent of the Times.