NATURE INTERVENES

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13890, 24 June 1938, Page 5

NATURE INTERVENES

IN ASIATIC CONFLICT YANGTSE RIVER OVERFLOWS United Press Assn. — By Electric Telegraph—Copy rigb i. HANKOW, June 23. The Yangtse has overflowed its north and south banks in the neighbourhood of Taihu from where the Japanese are operating their advance to Hankow. It is felt that the pressure is now relieved as large-scale operations are impossible. Field headquarters have telegraphed to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek : “The countryside is seriously flooded. We hold strong hillside positions and the Japanese advance is now practically impossible.” An earlier message stated: “The Japanese claim that the Yangtse fleet is nearing the Mafung boom. Warplanes bombing Chinese positions on the banks hit a Chinese mine-layer above the boom, causing the vessel to ground. The Chnese claim that they repulsed a Japanese landing at Tungliu, 27 miles from Wuhu. The Yellow river has fallen eighteen inches. The Japanese troops to escape from marooned vilChinese launched an offensive on a broad front in the Shansi area. They declare they have broken the Japanese line at Linfeng, 80 miles north of the Yellow river. They are now attempting to occupy the city. The floods at present protect the Chinese flank. Chinese planes sunk or disabled over a dozen Japanese warships in the Yangtse in the past ten days.” The Chinese Government offices at present in Hankow have been instructed to disregard the evacuation order to Chungking. This reflects tho growing belief that Hankow can be defended.