AIR RAID TERROR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 11

AIR RAID TERROR

NANCHANG BOMBED CITY ALMOST DESTROYED OVER EIGHT HUNDRED KILLED (United Press association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at Hongkong says wave after wave of Japanese bombers almost destroyed Nanchang, killing 870 people and wounding 1000. Hundreds of buildings, including the famous Pagoda of the Gilded Ball were destroyed. Fires are raging throughout the city. As the result of evacuation the population has been reduced from 1,000,000 to 50,000 people. REPORTED LANDING DENIED SHANGHAI, Nov. 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.) The Japanese naval spokesman denied the report that a landing had been made near Foochow. JAPANESE USING GAS ENGLISH WRITER’S ASSERTION VANCOUVER, Nov. 2. Miss Freda Utley, an English writer, who was barred from Japan, has returned from the Orient. She declares that Japan is using poison gas. “The stories concerning Japanese atrocities are absolutely tru< she said. Given sufficient munitions by Britain, the United States., and others, China would ultimately win. The Chinese were fighting under horrible conditions, and were hampered by disease and lack of medical care for the wounded. Malaria was the real cause of the Hankow debacle. BRITISH STEAMER AGROUND IN FORTIFIED ZONE LONDON, Nov. 2. The Tokic correspondent of The Times says Captain Stephen is in the custody of the Yokohama police after his steamer had grounded in the Japanese fortified zone of Futtsu on October 30 The Japanese maintain that the mishap was not due to fog- or currents and that Captain Stephen was liable to prosecution under the military secrets protection law. CAPTAIN TO PAY DAMAGES TOKIO, Nov. 2. Captain Stephen was released after promising payment of £IOO damages to fishing nets and clam beds. THE KUOMINTANG NOW A LOCAL REGIME TOKIO, Nov. 2. Prince Konoye, in a broadcast speech which was approved by Cabinet and the Emperor, said the Kuomintang Government had been reduced to a local regime, but Japan would not give up until it was crushed or had abandoned its antiJapanese attitude. A tripartite relationshi’ between China, Japan, and Manchukub. jointly anti-Com-munistic would create cultural and economic cohesion throughout Asia. Japan asked China to share this task Even the Kuomintang’s participation would not be spurned if it amended its policy and remoulded its personnel. THE OPEN DOOR POLICY AMERICA’S ADHERENCE NEW YORK. Nov. 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 11.55 p.m.) The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says the Japanese declaration of an Asiatic bloc is accepted with reserve. Mr Cordell Hull declined to comment, indicating that he preferred to wait for a reply to the United States Note. Diplomatic circles, however, tended to regard the pronouncement as one designed primarily for home consumption by serving as a cushion for the announcement of a bond issue and warning the nation that it must tighten its belt and make further efforts in the war with China. There is no sign of the United States being deflected from her purpose. She stands by the open door policy and insists on respect for American rights. The Chinese Ambassador, Mr Hushi, called on President Roosevelt to-day and read to the President excerpts from Marshal Chiang Kaishek’s manifesto, Mr Hushi assured the President that China was prepared to fight Japan to a finish. The Post and Telegraph Department has received advice from Hongkong that Foochow traffic is subject to heavy delay, and is accepted at sender’s risk.