CHINA EXPECTS BIG ASSAULT

Southland Times, Issue 24755, 28 May 1942, Page 5

CHINA EXPECTS BIG ASSAULT

JAPANESE PREPARE (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. According to the official Chinese Government Spokesman in Chungking China expects an all-out Japanese assault, probably within a week. Transports, warships and aircraft carriers have been massing off the island of Formosa, opposite Fukien Province, south of Chekian, where a heavy Japanese drive is already in progress. Kwangsi Province has been bombed, which leads to the suspicion that the Japanese may turn inland and strike to cut China’s interior routes to the Another 1000 Japanese were killed or wounded northward of Lanchi, 45 miles northward of Kinhwa, capital of Chekiang, when a speedy Chinese column attacked them from the rear. Chinese field artillery played an important part in the defence of Kinhwa, preventing the Japanese artillery from going into action. If the Japanese concentrate against the Chinese in the coming weeks the supply position will assume first class importance, for the Chinese will need first-line fighters and bombers. It is felt that the only completely satisfac-

tory solution lies in the recapture of Lashio and Mandalay. SERIOUS POSITION

The position for the Chinese is regarded as desperately serious, for the whole future strategy of the war in the Far East depends on the maintenance of contact between the Allied Nations and China, a fact which the Japanese have undoubtedly appreciated. China may play the same role in Allied strategy in the Far East as Russia is playing in the West. Lieutenant-General Sir Douglas Brownrigg, commenting in The Evening News says: “An all-out attack against China would be a most difficult operation for the United Nations to counter.” He continued: “Now is the time for Japan to strike China. This Tojo will do if he is wise.” Lieutenant-General Brownrigg believes that China will resist to the end. He also thinks that Japan will now go all out in other directions —from the west to Chungking, from the east by westerly advances from forward positions, and from ports in Japanese hands. The recent landing at Foochow is a feeler.