THE HANKOW RAID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 7

THE HANKOW RAID

CLAIM BY JAPANESE. lEVERAL PLANES DESTROYED HANGARS DEVASTATED ADVANCE IN SHANTUNG AREA (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. The Japanese claim that the air raid on Hankow destroyed 21 planes and devastated hangars, barracks, and concrete runways. The Japanese troops in Shantung continue to press on, with the Chinese fleeing, while the advance north of Pukow has reached Hwanti and Mapanshan, 55 and 40 miles respectively from Pukow. Two American airmen were killed ■when taking off from the Hankow military aerodrome. CONTROL IN SHANGHAI THE JAPANESE PROPOSAL LONDON, Jan. 5. The Shanghai correspondent of The Times says: “ The municipality in the general interest is most anxious to meet Japanese desires regarding law and order. In has done much to restrain Chinese institutions in accordance with Japanese wishes. The police have unremittingly tried to prevent incidents, searching suspects for arms, but the council has authority only under a charter, changes in which require the. approval of the signatory Powers. “ The Japanese have placed a guard over the Chinese Government’s radio station in order to prevent interference with the equipment. At present there will be no interference with the staff, which is under American management, provided the security of the Japanese forces is not affected. No censorship of foreign cables is contemplated while the press messages remain reasonably restrained. THE CABLE OFFICES JAPANESE CENSORS ARRIVE SHANGHAI, Jan. 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 10.45 p.m.) Japanese censors arrived at the cable offices at 10.45 this morning. THE RADIO STATION CHINESE EMPLOYEES WALK OUT SHANGHAI, Jan. 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 1.1.30 p.m.) The Times Shanghai correspond ent says the employees- of the Chinese Radio Administration walked out under orders from General Chunking. The Japanese have taken over full control of the service, which is being operated with no censorship on messages. CHINESE BOMBERS LIGHTNING RAID ON WUHU HANKOW, Jan. 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 10 p.m.) Chinese bombing planes earned out two lightning raids on Wuhu aerodrome. They dropped 75 bombs, destroying a Japanese plane about to land and five others. Two Japanese armies converging on Suchpwfu are each 100 miles away. ' __ The Chinese Foreign Office sen. Identical memoranda to the British, French and American Governments requesting prompt measures to prevent the enforcement of the Shanghai municipal council’s recent proclamation giving their police emergency powers. MUNICIPALITY OFFICIALS FOREIGNERS MAY RESIGN SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. The, municipality officials comprise five Britons, two Americans, five Chinese, and two Japanese. A prominent official says that unless the Governments concerned declare the Japanese requests unacceptable the foreigners will resign, as the position would be untenable, for the Japanese would then control the settlement. NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Jan. 5. Th new British Ambassador to China, Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, will come to London this month from Baghdad for a fortnight’s consultation before to Shanghai as early in February as possible. JAPANESE STUDENTS REFUSAL TO LEARN ENGLISH TOKIO, Jan. 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 11.30 p.m ) University students are refusing to attend classes in English. They ask contemptuously what is the use of. studying a dying language, and they assert that all foreigners will soon be excelled from the country. This belief about expulsion of foreigners is shared by foreign traders, but is denied by the Government. OFFICIAL CHINESE REPORT (Feb United'Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. The following Hankow cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul: — _ ~ .“Advancing from Fuyang, the Chinese reached Lukwortap. a few miles from the Hangchow Railway Station. The Japanese within Hangchow have retired to the outKkirts of the city. x . “ On the Tsinpu front in the centre the Chinese have retired from Taian and have taken up positions at Taikumkow, and hold Pingyumkow, on the left flank, and Suntai, on the Japanese, who threatened Puyang, on the border of Hopei and Honan, have been defeated, and are being pursued by the Chinese, who have recaptured Chinfeng and Nanloh. The Japanese are retiring to Taiming.”