STILL RESISTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 11

STILL RESISTING

DEFENDERS OF CHINA

MOVE AGAINST HANKOW

LARGE FORCE TRAPPED

FIGHTING IN MONGOLIA

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

LONDON, Feb. 15

Chinese guerilla forces have reached the outskirts of Hankow and raided the Wuchang aerodrome, sa£s a message from Chungking. Japanese field despatches report that 50,000 Chinese troops and guerilla* forces in Central liopei are trapped between 'the Peking-ITan-kow and Tientsin-Pukow railways. The Japanese are scouring the area.

The Chinese Government announces honours for two generals leading guerilla fighters in tlio Hopei Province. Prince Slia, the aged Mongolian leader, arrived at Chungking by air. Ho states that the Mongolians are supporting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, and have inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese in western Inner Mongolia. The right wing of the Chinese offensive army at Hunan is within 25 miles of Yoyang, says the Independent Cable Service. Chinese guerilla forces have cut the Canton-Hankow railway betwen Yoyang and Hankow, and may force the Japanese to withdraw eastward to avoid isolation from the base at Hankow.

HAINAN ISLAND

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

CHIANG KAI-SHEK'S ORDER CONTINUE RESISTANCE LONDON, Feb. 15 The Chinese Generalissimo, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, has ordered General Wang, garrison commander on Hainan Island, to continue his resistance to the Japanese occupation, says a message from Chungking. The Japanese have routed the Chinese and have occupied Yulin, the most important harbour in Hainan Island, says a message from Tokio. QUESTIONS IN COMMONS FRANCO-BRITISH INTERESTS (Received February 16. 6.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 15 Questioned in the House of Commons on the Japanese occupation of Hainan, the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler said the Japanese Government had stated that it had no territorial designs and the occupation of the island would not last longer than required by military needs. In another answer Mr. Butler said Britain and France were in constant communication regarding the most appropriate methods of safeguarding their common interests in South China seas. Britain also had under constant review measures best calculated to protect British interests in the Far East. TANKS FOR THE CHINESE RANGOON, Feb. 15 An American steamer at Rangoon is unloading 200 light tanks for delivery in China/