NAVAL ACTION IN EAST

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 6

NAVAL ACTION IN EAST

PREVENTING ESCAPE OF GERMAN FREIGHTERS

(Received October 11, 11.50 p.m.) TOKYO, October 10.

The Japanese newspapers are protesting against a British naval flotilla approaching the borders of Japanese waters, ostensibly to prevent the escape of numerous German freighters from Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki. They allege that the real purpose is to spy on Japanese shipping on behalf of China and on Japanese warships and fortifications.

The Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press announces that the Japanese forces are withdrawing from the entire Chungshan district in South China. The withdrawal follows a similar movement from the Changsha area in the Hunan province. It is believed to be due to the desire of Mr Wang Ching-wei, the Japanese puppet Chinese leader, that the Japanese should shorten their battle lines preliminary to new peace moves and the possible launching of the new socalled Central Government for the Japanese occupied areas in China. It is persistently rumoured that Mr Ching-wei has made contact with nationalist agents and that there is a possibility of an armistice preliminary to peace, envisaging Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s retirement or the desertion of a number of his strongest supporters.

Japanese aeroplanes bombed many centres today in nationalist territory during the celebration of the Independence Day holiday.