FALL IMMINENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 9

FALL IMMINENT

THE POSITION AT NANKING JAPANESE FORCES CLOSING IN FEEBLE CHINESE DEFENCE NEW ARMY IN TIE SOUTH • (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 5.5 p.m.) The Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press says the principal Japanese thrust appears to be coming from Kuyung. The feebleness of the Chinese resistance outside Nanking creates the impression that General Chiang Kai-shek will leave the invaders an empty shell, reserving his forces for later activities. Meanwhile South China is reported to be raising a new fourth army of 15,000, composed of Communists from Fukien, Kiangsi, Hunan and Hupeh under General Yeh Ting. . AIR RAID ON NANKING . NANKING, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 5.5 p.m.) Seventeen Japanese war planes raided the city this afternoon, making power dives over Pukew, the terminus of the Peking railway, on the opposite side of the Yangtsekiang, and bombing Pukew and the riverfront. Nine planes returned and set fire to buildings on the riverfront. Only a few launches, junks, and a number of gunboats occupied the stream. The reported Japanese capture of the Purple Mountain, overlooking Nanking, is unconfirmed. FIRE IN THE CAPITAL DEFENDERS RETREATING LONDON, Dec. 6. The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that the evening broadcast (without confirmation) suggested that Nanking may emulate the Moscow of 1812, inasmuch as that part of the capital from which the Japanese are four miles distant is on fire. There are signs that the defenders are beginning to retreat across the Yangtse-kiang. All news from Japanese sources assumes the city's imminent fall, Inasmuch as General Pang, the defending commander, is moving his troops across the river, ostensibly to consolidate the defences there. Thousands of refugees are waiting at the gates, and are unable to escape owing to the transfer of soldiers, but the signs of submission which the Japanese demand are still absent. The press betrays perplexity regarding Japan's action if Nanking falls, and General Chiang Kai-shek remains defiant. It can only propose doubtful schemes in view of the fact that Japanese face a stubborn army, prepared to put its back to a series of walls deeper inland. • ■. A Japanese declaration of war is considered unlikely,' because it would immediately invoke the American Neutrality Act. Continuance of the Chinese resistance depends on munitions from abroad. THE "VICTORY MARCH" AGAINST BRITAIN'S WISHES :• ? • (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Dec. 6 Replying to questions in the House of Commons, Mr Eden said British military officers in Shanghai; and the British Ambassador in Tokio had advised the Japanese that the " victory march " was against their wishes, and the representations had been subsequently endorsed by the British Government It was true that Japan had the right to maintain troops in the Settlement, but the march was outside the particular sector allowed the Japanese by the defence scheme. JAPANESE ENVOY MISSION TO LONDON PARIS, Dec. 6. Viscount Ishii, Japan's special envoy, is going to London tomorrow. He says: " I hope to discuss the Far Eastern situation with Mr Eden. I saw Signor Mussolini, but agreed that nothing should be published.". FRENZIED CHINESE RUSH TO SAFETY ZONE LONDON, Dec. 7. ' (Received Dec. 7. at 11 p.m.) Wild confusion prevails at Nanking, says the British. United Press correspondent. Fires are raging along riverside warehouses and in the centre of the city, due to Japanese bombing, which extended to the Pukow Railway Station, killing and wounding many refugees huddled there. The police are unable to check sections of the populace who are looting everywhere. Thousands of frenzied Chinese have gathered, screaming for admission to the safety zone. BOMBING OF BRITISH SHIPS A PROTEST LODGED LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 11.30 p.m.) A Shanghai message states thai: Admiral Little protested to Admiral I-lasegawa against the bombing of British ships at Wuhu The Consulgeneral supported the protest. JAPANESE IMPERIAL COUNCIL LONDON, Dec. 7. ■ (Received Dec. 8, at 0.15 a.m.) " The Japanese Cabinet is arranging an Imperial Council under the presidency of the Emperor, to consider the policy towards Britain and America, and whether Japan shall refrain from recognising the Chinese Government and leave China indej pendent, or declare war," says the Tokio correspondent of The Times. INVADERS AT CITY GATES PREPARING FOR ENTRY TOKIO, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 1.15 a.m.) -•■ The Japanese are within 1000 yards of Nanking/preparing for for-

mal entry, which will mark the first occupation by invading foreigners throughout the city's long history Other reports affirm that military, naval, and aerial forces carried out a combined attack on Nanking and Wuhu to-day Over 90 planes for two hours carried out the most intensive bombing to which the cap'tal has thus far been subjected, although it had suffered 119 Drevious bombardments. The raids were carried out with a view to completing the demoralisation of the defenders, whose resistance has col lapsed. Provincial trooos whose lines were securely held when General Chiang Kai-shek them yesterday, have now retreated, though three crack divisions have been assigned for defence of the city.