GRIM RESOLVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23182, 31 October 1938, Page 11

GRIM RESOLVE

JAPANESE IN CHINA NO RELAXATION CHIANG TO BE CRUSHED CAPTURE OF HANKOW REJOICING IN TOKIO By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October .'{o. 5,5 p.m.) TOKIO. Oct. 20 The commander of the Japanese expeditionary forces in Central China, General Hata, in an interview with a representative of the Domei news agency stated that, although Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has lost 30 divisions and one half of the central troops under his own command in the defence of Hankow —the loss of which has reduced his regime to a mere provincial administration—the Japanese will notrelax until Chiang has been completely crushed. The Japanese claim to have occupied the whole of the Hupeh Province east of the Peking-Hankow railway.

One million people in Tokio last night participated in lantern processions rejoicing at the capture of Hankow and neighbouring cities. They surged in front of the Imperial Palace moving their lanterns, which resembled a sea of flames. The Emperor and Empress, with their children, stood on the moat bridge for half an hour waving lanterns in response to multitudinous cries of "Banzai."

The former Japanese Ambassador to China, Mr. Hachiro Arita, has been appointed Foreign Minister in succession to General Ugaki. In an interview he said: "Japan's policy toward China will not be changed, but I shall act, with a view to minimising international friction."

NEW ECONOMIC BLOC SUPPLIES OF MINERALS TOKIO'S IMPORTANT GAINS PLENTY OF RAW MATERIALS (Received October 30. 5.5 p.m.) TOKIO. Oct. 29 "Japan, hitherto a 'have not' nation, will be one of the greatest of the 'have' nations as the result of nn economic bloc being established between Japan. Manchukuo and China," says the Niehi Nichi Shimbun. "Manchukuo is increasing its output of minerals and with Korea can over-supply Japan's requirements of 23,000,000 tons of iron ore in the next five years. "There are also iron ores in North China, in the Yangtse Valley, while the coal deposits in China, including 127,000,000,000 tons in the Shansi Province, in addition to those in Japan and Manchukuo* will meet Japan's demands for 240,000,000 tons in the next three years. "Shantung will largely supply Japanese requirements in salt, hitherto imported from China, and can develop cotton-growing. The wool output of Manchukuo and North China can be easily increased to meet Japan s needs."

Tho Kokumin Shimbun forecasts another deadlock *n the Anglo-Japanese conversations unless Britain reconsiders her attitude. It suggests that the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Shigemitsu, should directly negotiate with Mr. Chamberlain.

CHIANG'S CONFIDENCE NEXT PHASE OF THE WAR PREPARATIONS DESCRIBED LONDON, Oct. 28 The People's Political Council (the National Parliament) met at Chungking for the first time in a session that is regarded as marking the beginning of a new chapter in the SinoJapanese hostilities, says a message from Shanghai. The Council received a message from Marshal Chiang Kai-shek declaring his confidence in ultimate victory, the chances of which, he said, had increased as the warfare proceeded farther to the west.

China's military preparations in the area of the Peking-Hankow-Hukwang railways had been strengthened. Political and military centres had been created behind the Japanese lines and time had been gained to lay the foundations for the next phase of the conflict.

Wang Ching-wei, deputy leader of the Kuomintang, and Lin Sen, chairman of the National Government, reiterated China's determination to maintain her resistance. BOMBED BY JAPANESE AN AMERICAN MISSION Times Cftblo LONDON. Oct. 28 Japanese airmen bombed the American mission at Tungpoi, Honan, and killed the three-year-old daughter of a missionary, Mr. Arthur Nyhus, and injured his mother and young sister, says the Hankow correspondent of the Times. . , The bombing took place in spite or the American flag being clearly displayed.