WAR IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23191, 10 November 1938, Page 11

WAR IN CHINA

EXTENSION OF ZONE •'• ■■■v ; ■ '':; LT * %:■> •{' PROTEST BY POWERS BRITAIN AND AMERICA JAPAN'S INTERFERENCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 9, 11.10 p,re„) Times Cable LONDON, Nov. 9 The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachiro Arita, has sent a Note warning foreign representatives that the war zone in China has. been extended to Shensi, Hupeh, Hunan and Kwangshi Provinces, from which nationals should be withdrawn and foreign property plainly marked, says the Tokio correspondent of the Times.

A message from Washington says'" that the State Department has substantiated reports from London that the United States is preparing to join Britain* and i ranee in representations to Japan against the closing of the Yangtse Valley in China to citizens of neutral nations.

The United States Note would be a reinforcement of the protests already lodged against the Japanese exclusion of Americans from the activities they have long followed in China. The Chinese Southern Army has been reorganised again at the gates of Canton, says a message from Hongkong. The Chinese advance resulted in the cutting off of a number of Japanese naval vessels which were going up the river from Canton. The Japanese have rushed up all reserves, which are apparently hopelessly out-numbered. The Chinese have reported the capture of Fatshan and also Poklo, 70 miles east of Canton, cutting Japanese communications with Bias Bay. Heavy fighting continues.

Chengtufu, the capital of Ssuchwan Province, less than 600 miles from the Soviet frontier, was bombed for the first time since the beginning of thd war. It is the last of the important cities not bombed. Eighteen aeroplanes dropped 100 bombs. One machine was shot down. BRITAIN PERTURBED

INVESTMENTS IN CHINA LARGE LOSSES POSSIBLE TREND OF JAPAN'S POLICY LONDON, Not. 4 Britain is perturbed abciut the possible loss of huge sums winch she has invested in China over a long period. Simultaneously, she itacos an unspoken threat that hpr trade may be excluded from that country, .although this would be les3 grave than!-the loss of her investments.. | ( Japan has not so fan communicated her intentions <to Britain, nor bias Britain opened the question witii Japan; consequently, newspaper reports of "decisions" are unfounded. Nevertheless, Britain is prepared for the worst, on the basis that the trend of Japanese policy, in spite Bf Japanese spokesmen's > protestations, " has always been toward monopoly. There is little that Britain' can do. All recent efforts to negotiate outstanding differences with Japan hah) failed, including an attempt at a wider understanding with Japan. The situation is to some extent ascribed to the refusal of thie United States to co-operate with Britain in a firm stand against Japan .and to the failure of the alternative policy of "parallel action" by Britain and America. f «

Britain now finds herself with three factors—Germany, Italy and Japan—whose entente, if so far not consolidated to the extent claimed, might very easily be hardened by, provocation from Britain. /i ' •

Britain has some difficulty :in finding any support. France is immobilised by her internal troubles, and Riissia- is an unknown quantity. Unite! States

opinion is taking a long time to grow firm.: ". ~ ;; v : '7:v. ' ■ *

It is realised, however, I'that the Japanese,,: have not yet conquered China. They have no effective control of the north, and even if Chiang Kaishek is eclipsed, the spread of anarchy is likely to increase Japanese difficulties. Nevertheless, Chinai is in a sorry plight.