RAPID ADVANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 5

RAPID ADVANCE

JAPANESE IN CHINA SEVERE FIGHTING REPORTED MORE TOWNS OCCUPIED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United I’rnss Assn.) SHANGHAI, April 17. Following the fall of Chingwangto yesterday, the Japanese are pressing south wards intending to capture the area between the Ip,an River and the Great Wall. Severe fighting is proceeding at Pcituiho and in the Changli area. Japanese aeroplanes are bombing the retreating Chinese. The Chinese forces at Nantassau, east -of Peitaiho, suffered a heavy artillery bombardment and subsequent aircraft bombing. Practically the whole town is levelled.

Fierce fighting is .also raging at Eli unyang.

Another report states that the Japanese are now rapidly advancing westward by three routes, having captured Peitaiho, a tourist resort, Hsinfengkow and Longlcow, and they are approaching Lulong and Failing >y separate routes. Following the occupation of Chingwangtao, the Japanese repaired the lamaged railway, enabling armoured .rains to enter. A provisional military Government has been established in tin' city, the residents remaining remarkably calm under the sudden change. The latest developments bring the Japanese army definitely within China proper, although it was originally stated that they did not intend to proceed beyond the Great Wall. The Chinese casualties during tho past few days have been extremely heavy. Dr. Soong, Finance Minister, is proceeding to London via America to attend the Economic Conference, but his main purpose will he to present China’s case to Britain and America. CHINA’S DEFENCE “ROBBED RIGHT AND LEFT” SYDNEY, April 4. The Consul-General for China, Dr. Ohen, said yesterday that China in recent years had found it necessary to change her outloox from that of a pacific nation to one of a defender, because her neighbors were “robbing her right and left," and her civilisation was threatened.

Dr. Chen was addressing tho members of the Quota Club. He said that they had heard a great deal about China being disorganised, but he could say that those reports were exaggerated. During the last few years 7,500,000 miles of dykes had been built in many of the provinces at. a cost of £6.000,000, and on their construction 3 ; 000,000 men were employed yearly. China had balanced its last Budget in sjpitc of the war. Although China was changing, it had not been prepared for the recent war. Their neighbors realised that if they did nut rob her now, they would not be able to do so within two years, for then China would be strong enough to offer effective resistance. Communism had been definitely checked in China. Dr. Chen added, and diplomatic relations with Russia had been severed. “As soon as we deal with certain neighbors,” he remarked, “wo hope to annihilate Communism in Manchuria. That is our reply to suggestions that wo may ally ourselves with Russia for protection from our neighbors. We seek protection from the League of Nations.” (Applause.)