CHINESE ATTACK SUCCESSFUL

Southland Times, Issue 23791, 13 April 1939, Page 5

CHINESE ATTACK SUCCESSFUL

JAPANESE FORCED TO RETREAT TROOPS SAID TO BE 10 MILES FROM CANTON LONDON, April 11. The Chinese Embassy, reporting . on successes in Central and South China, announces that the Chinese have driven the Japanese 12 miles eastwards from Kaoan, in north Kiangsi. A Chinese flying column has attacked Fenghsin. The Japanese are now reinforced and are apparently planning a retaliatory drive towards Changsha. The Chinese efforts in central Hupeh threaten to sever- the Japanese communications, after the recapture of Tienshatien and Huangchiutsi, and the Chinese southern advance has reached Shiching, 10 miles from Canton. The Shanghai correspondent of me Times says that Chinese gunmen shot dead an official of the Chinese puppet Government, Dr H. Shih-tai, and wounded two others, including a Chinese constable who fired on the murderers. It is reported that 240 Chinese officials of the Nanking Government have been killed and many taken prisoner by guerrilla troops, including magistrates and their staffs.

The Japanese claim that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s offensive was repulsed in southern Shansi. The city of Namtau, in the vicinity of which the Japanese landed, is reported to be ablaze. Fourteen hundred Japanese troops landed at Taishing and are reported to have captured Shekwan. SIAMESE DENY PACT WITH BRITAIN CONTINUED INDEPENDENCE SOUGHT (Received April 12, 6.30 p.m.) TOKYO, April 11. The Siamese Minister in Tokyo (Phya Sri Sena) denies that Siam is forming an anti-Japanese bloc with Britain. He says that Siam seeks only continued independence and friendly co-operation with all nations.