RAIN SWELLS FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 23538, 18 June 1938, Page 7

RAIN SWELLS FLOODS

AREAS IN CHINA DESOLATED JAPANESE SOLDIERS MAROONED THOUSANDS OF PEASANTS FLEE FROM HOMES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 17, 11.25 p.m.) SHANGHAI, June 17.

Ceaseless rain threatens to make worse the flood of the Yellow river and the Yangtze Kiang. Correspondents report that the various marooned Japanese units are being provisioned by aeroplanes.

A special correspondent of Reuters who made a tour of 1000 miles in a Japanese Army aeroplane, describes the scene of desolation in Honan north and south of the Lunghai railway. A stream eight to 10 miles wide is spreading south-wes-terly between Chengchow and Kaifeng and seems likely to join the Yangtze by way of the Grand Canal. Two long sections of the Lunghai railway are submerged. ,

Japanese army leaders at Peiping declare that the Chinese prepared the breaches in the Yellow river dykes three months ago in anticipation of a retreat and blew them up on June 11. Japanese engineers attempting to make repairs the following day were fired on by Chinese and 10 were killed. At least 500,000 peasants have fled from their homes and thousands of farm houses are submerged. Two small hills visible west of Kaifeng are teeming with refugees. Japanese army pontoons are ferrying rescued persons to Kaifeng. . . It is expected that the floods will jom the Yangtze Kiang and. Yellow river, resulting in the inundation of the provinces of Honan, Anhwei and Kiangsu. Chinese resistance to the Japanese advance on Hankow is stiffening as the floods swell under endless rain. The Yangtze Kiang is 20 feet above normal and the inundation has passed Fukuo and is surging down on Chowkiakow, the junction of the Kailu and Tasha rivers, 95 miles from the original Chinese artillery sank six Japanese motor-boats and 20 canvas boats, from which landings on the north and south banks of the Yangtze Kiang were being attempted. The Chinese report the clearance of the south bank and the recapture of Chenkiangkow and Suitoushan on the north bank, where infantry is doggedly attacking.

CIVILIAN BOMBINGS CONDEMNED ANTI-JAPANESE FEELING IN CONGRESS (Received June 17, 10.30 pan.) WASHINGTON, June 17. Anti-Japanese sentiment showed itself in Congress when the Senate proved a resolution condemning ‘the. inhuman bombing of civilian populations," which Senator D. Key Pittman (Nevada) introduced.