JAPANESE TIGHTEN STEEL RING ROUND NANKING

Southland Times, Issue 23379, 10 December 1937, Page 5

JAPANESE TIGHTEN STEEL RING ROUND NANKING

Negotiations With Defenders CHINESE PREPARE TO RESIST TO THE LAST Grim Siege Alternative To Surrender (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 9, 10.40 p.m.) SHANGHAI, December 9. Nanking echoes the rumble of distant gunfire—evidence of fierce fighting in the outlying hills—as the Japanese tighten their steel ring round-the city by bringing, up troops and siege guns. But the shock troops are pausing at the gates, hesitating to launch the final attack in the hope that the Chinese will capitulate before it is too. late. . The Japanese believe there are now signs at Shanghai that the Chinese leaders are willing to talk peace. Some success is reported in Japanese negotiations with General Tan Sheng-chi, who is in command at Nanking, for the surrender of the city and 300,000 troops between Nanking and Wuhu. It is expected that if capitulation by the Chinese does not ensue the siege will be one of the bloodiest encounters of the war. The Japanese will not enter Nanking without a grim struggle. The Chinese are feverishly completing preparations to resist the invaders to the last Labour battalions are throwing up earthworks at each of the gates to the city and are spreading wire entanglements and building gun emplacements.