FALL IMMINENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23341, 5 November 1937, Page 9

FALL IMMINENT

THE CITY OF TAIYUANFU INVADERS CLOSING IN HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING CHINESE RESIST VIGOROUSLY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) , " PEKING, Nov. 3. Japanese are rapidly converging on Taiyuanfu from two sides after severe hand-to-hand fighting and mining the Chinese trenches. They claim that the Chinese are in full retreat and that the fall of the city is imminent This will make Japan master of the fourth provincial capital since the start of the campaign. The Chinese admit that the position in Shansi is grave. The newspapers throughout China urge continuation of vigorous resistance. They declare that rumours of negotiations for a neutral zone in Shanghai and the evacuation of Nantao are without foundation.

The Japanese captured the snowclad mountain pass of Hsinkowchen. The defenders resisted stubbornly, but the invaders sacrificed their lives in blasting what were.supposed to be impregnable positions, from which they finally drove the Chinese in full flight, leaving 30,000 casualties.

Despatches from Taiyuanfu admit that the Japanese are within 40 miles of the city. There will be severe losses if reinforcements do not arrive quickly. JAPANESE PLANE FIRED ON TOKIO, Nov. 3. The Domei Agency representative in Shanghai reports that anti-air-craft batteries apparently in the British defence sector fired on a Japanese naval plane flying over Tokoda cotton mill, which is Japanese property in the hands of the Chinese. The plane reached its base safely, though bullets hit the wings. POSITION AT NANTAO SHANGHAI, Nov. 3. An agreement has been reached between the French, Chinese and Japanese under which Chinese troops will be withdrawn from Nantao with a view o obviating a Japanese attack against Nantao, which would have imperilled the French* concessions.

Foreign military observers say that the Chinese forces in the Sooshow Creel, area consist only of a first line with a few reserves. The main body of the Chinese army is established along a line north-west of the city. A JAPANESE WARNING SHANGHAI, Nov. 4. (Received Nov. 4, at 11.15 p.m.) A warning that the Japanese will 'shoot'.'down any aeroplanes flying over their lines, regardless of markings, was issued by Japanese authorities as a sequel to a reported flight by two monoplanes with British markings over north-west Shanghai. The British suggest that the monoplane' were camouflaged by the Chinese.

The Japanese celebrated the birth of Meiji with a salute of 101 guns, but th 3 guns were pointed at the Chinese and the shells were alive.