JAPANESE TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23685, 17 December 1938, Page 15

JAPANESE TROOPS

A NEW THRUST EXPECTED CHINESE PREPARATIONS DESTRUCTION OF BRIDGES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HONGKONG, Dec. 16. (Received Dec. 17, at 0.30 a.m.) The Chinese are reported to be destroying bridges on the border region between the Kwangtung and Kwangsi provinces in anticipation of the new Japanese advance to Nanning-Fu, the capital of Kwangsi, aimed at interrupting the supply of arms to China through French Indo China. The first clash is expected at Fatshan, 10 miles south-west of Canton, where 3000 Japanese are concentrated. BLOCKADE AT HANKOW THE FRENCH CONCESSION HONGKONG. Dec. 15! It is reported that the Japanese, without explanation, have instituted what amounts to a blockade of the French concession at Hankow, preventing the entrance of food and disconnecting the water supply, stocks of both being low. CREDITS FOR CHINA AUTHORISED IN AMERICA WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. (Received Dec. 17, at 0.30 a.m.) The Reconstruction Finance Corporation announced the authorisation of 25,000,000 dollar credits by the export and import bank for Chinese interests for the purchase of American agricultural and manufactured products. While it is insisted that the goods are purely of a commercial nature, it is understood that they include motor trucks and petrol. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says: "Taken in conjunction with reports that Britain is about to extend credits to China, it may mean that two Powers are throwing some of their influence in the scales on behalf of the hardpressed Chinese and against Japan, whose disregard of their rights in China and the flouting of the opendoor policy had resulted in a serious diplomatic impasse."