ATTACK ON AMOY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 9

ATTACK ON AMOY

HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED CHINESE REINFORCEMENTS DESTROYERS STANDING BY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HONGKONG, May 11. The arrival of Chinese reinforcements led to heavy fighting. Refugees are pouring into the foreign concession at Kulagnsu, where 189 Britons and 36 Americans are safe. Two British and two American destroyers are standing by. THE COASTAL ISLANDS CONTROLLED BY JAPANESE AMOY, May 11. The Japanese have occupied part of the city, and now control all the coastal islands except Hainan. According to the Domei Agency the Lunghai battle promises to be the greatest since Mukden, in 1905. The Japanese hope to entrap 400.000 Chinese. JAPANESE IN FULL CONTROL FOREIGNERS REPORTED SAFE SHANGHAI, May 12 (Received May 12, at 11 p.m.) It has been reliably reported that the Japanese have captured the whole of Amoy Island, including the treaty port, where fighting raged throughout the day. The Chinese forces have retreated to the mainland." All foreigners are reported safe. THREE POSSIBLE MOTIVES JAPAN’S NEXT MOVE AWAITED LONDON, May 12. (Received May 13, at 1 a.m.) The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: “Three possible motives are suggested for the attack on Amoy—strategic, economic and psychological. If strategic, it is believed to foreshadow operations in the Canton area. If economic, it is the prosperous Customs revenue that attracts, and the occupation of Swatow and Foochow may be expected to follow shortly. If psychological, it is to cheer up and encourage the Japanese public in view of failure to record a spectacular victory on the Suchow front. Possibly all three motives played a part in the navy’s action.” The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says all South China is now awaiting tensely for Japan’s next move. The main concern in Hongkong is the security of Canton, although all preparations to meet a Japanese attack have long been completed there. THE LUNGHAI FRONT POWERFUL JAPANESE DRIVE SHANGHAI, May 11. The Japanese have begun a powerful pincer movement' towards Lunghai, southwards from Tsining, with the object of cutting the railway between Kweiteh and Hsuchow. Six new Japanese divisions are due in Shantung, where presently 1,000,000 Chinese will face 500,000 Japanese. The Chinese admit Japanese progress north and south of the Tient-sin-Pukow railway. JAPANESE RAID MISSION SEVERAL PEOPLE MURDERED LONDON. May 11. (Received May 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The News Chronicle says that the Japanese, in the course of a fourth raid on the Changlo Mission, Shuntung. murdered a French missionary (Frederick Fourre), three Chinese nuns, two novices, a Chinese Christian, and a servant QUESTION OF MEDIATION BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, May 11. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chambterlain) was asked whether, seeing that the war in China had largely reached a deadlock, he would consider offering British mediation or inviting the United States to join in mediation to restore peace. Mr Chamberlain said the British Government would be glad to offer its services either alone or in conjunction with other Powers to bring equitable peace between China and Japan. He did not, however, consider any useful purpose would be served by offering mediation until both sides signified their willingness to accept it. BRITAIN NOT ALARMED EVENTS BEING WATCHED LONDON, May 11. The Associated Press says the Japanese attack on Amoy is not at present regarded with alarm by British Government quarters However the Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie is closely watching developments The Japanese may be staging the Amoy affair for home consumption, coupled with a test of Chinese strength, but thus far it is not regarded as a curtain-raiser to a calculated attack on foreign interests.