SORELY PRESSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23327, 20 October 1937, Page 11

SORELY PRESSED

JAPANESE NORTHERN FORCES SURROUNDED BY CHINESE FIGHTING IN SLEET STORM BOTH SIDES LOSE HEAVILY (United Press Association) <By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) NANKING, Oct. iB. (Received Oct. 19, at 11 p.m.) Heavy losses by botli sides are reported from the battle area north of Taiyuan, where 50,000 Japanese were surrounded on October 16. The Chinese attempted an annihilation drive before the arrival of Japanese reinforcements, and claim to have captured 800 rifles, 100 machine guns, and from 10 to 30 field guns and tanks. Packets of cigarettes, food, and ammunition descended in the Chinese lines from Japanese planes, the flyers having apparently mistaken the lines. Tokio admits that the Japanese are sorely pressed and suffering severely. Sleet is falling and the troops are still wearing summer uniforms. The Domei Agency reports that the Japanese in North Shansi defeated the combined Chinese Government troops and the troops of the Eighth Route Army. Fighting is centring in the neighbourhood of Sinkowchen and north of Taiyuanfu. The Japanese claimed success with the occupation of Potow and the subsequent capture of Paoho, which is strategically an important point. It involves the disorganisation of the Chinese northern operation. JAPANESE OCCUPY PAOTOW GOVERNS ROUTE TO RUSSIA LONDON, Oct. 19. (Received Oct. 20, at 0.5 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent says that; with the occupation of Paotow, in the Suiyuan Province, Japan claims to have erected what is described as a 100*0-mile-long " anti-Communist wall," stretching from Manuchukuo to Suiyuan, thence north to Shansi and Hopei, almost to the sea. Inside lies the rich Shantung Province, which is reported to be arming to the teeth against the Japanese. The Daily Telegraph's special Shanghai correspondent reports that the significance of Paotow is that it governs the northern route between Russia and China, is the terminus of the Peking-Suiyuan railway, and lies near the route connecting Siberia, Mongolia and China, and by holding this region Japan reduces China's chances of receiving arms from Russia. This has been one of the chief objectives of the Japanese offensive. JAPANESE AEROPLANE RAID CIVILIANS AMONG VICTIMS SHANGHAI, Oct. 18. . v Japanese planes, retaliating against Chinese raids, attempted to destroy the Chinese aerodrome at Hungjao. The casualties included 30 civilians. A Japanese attack on Kechiapailou succeeded after the annihilation of a Chinese regiment of 1400 who fought until the last, the commander refusing to give an order to retire. The Chinese claim that this operation cost the Japanese 3000 casualties. SINKING OF CHINESE JUNKS THE INQUIRY OPENED HONGKONG, Oct. 18. The inquiry into the sinking of the Chinese junks has been opened. The Japanese Consul-General ignored an invitation to attend. Fourteen survivors who were witnesses were unable to swear that the attacking submarine was a Japanese craft. The exhibits included shrapnel splinters and bullets extracted from the wounded. EFFECT ON WORLD TRADE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 18. A Geneva message states: The effect that the Far East crisis has had on world trade is revealed by the monthly statistics of the League's economic intelligence service. The gold value of world trade in August was 3 per cent, less than the figure for July. Not only did the world imports decline considerably, but the exports were much less. SANCTIONS AGAINST JAPAN MOVEMENT IN CANADA OTTAWA, Oct. 18. (Received Oct. 19. at 11.55 p.m.) A meeting "of the League of Nations Union and 36 participating organisations has been called fo.r November 6 to consider a demand for sanctions against Japan. THE BOYCOTT PROPOSAL AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE MELBOURNE, Oct. 19. (Received Oct. 20, at 1 a.m.) The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), sneaking on Belgium's invitation to Australia and other dominions to a conference on the Far East situation,-concluded by saying: "Mv attention has been directed to the'fact that certain organisations contemplate' a boycott of Japanese good? I appeal to the people to refrain from any precipitate action in this delicate situation and to leave to the Government the initiation of any measures which might be necessary on behalf of the people of Australia." A LABOUR RESOLUTION SYDNEY, Oct. 19. (Received Oct. 20, at 2 a.m.) A gathering of 2000 people in the City Town Hall to-night, held under the auspices of the Sydney Labour Council, carried a resolution expressing horror at the wanton aggression by Japan in China and advocating a complete boycott of Japanese goods, calling upon the Commonwealth Government to prohibit exports from Japan, and advising all workers to refuse to work ihips trading with Japan.

OFFICIAL CHINESE REPORT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 19. The Chinese Consul has received the following cablegram from Nanking:— " There was a desperate battle on the north bank of the Wentsaopang. but on the arrival of Chinese reinforcements, the invaders were repulsed. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Fierce fighting occurred on South Creek, the Chinese defenders holding their position. At Kiangwan Japanese bombers and mechanised units were ineffective against strong Chinese defence. There were all-day skirmishes at Chapei, but the positions remain unchanged. Repeated Japanese attempts to land reinforcements northwest of Lotien failed. Several Japanese warships were detached from the squadron and sailed downstream. The Japanese bombed Soochow railway station, damaging tracks and empty wagons. The Japanese also bombed Kashing station on the Shanghaj-Hangchow line. The buildings were slightly damaged, but there were no casualties.