SURRENDER OF CHINESE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1933, Page 7

SURRENDER OF CHINESE

30,000 TROOPS LAY DOWN ARMS JEHOL CAPITAL AT JAPAN’S MERCY DEFENCE THROWN OUT OF GEAR By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Shanghai, March 3. “gILVER bullets,” which have won more victories in China than any other method, are apparently playing a most important part in the present campaign in Jehol, where treachery on the part of 30,000 Jehol troops has left practically an open passage for the, Japanese and Manchukuo forces, which are now driving towards the provincial capital of Changtehfu. The Chinese tried to deny the reports of ’General Suntienying’s defection when defending the city of Lingyuan, but now admit that the former Kuominchun leader, together with his entire force, has laid down his arms and permitted the Japanese to enter Lingyuan almost without resistance when the Chinese forces were depending on the length of resistance of this key position on the route to Changtehfu. Reports of the defection of other bodies of troops in other areas through which the Japanese have advanced are proving a bitter pill to the Chinese nation, whose cup of sorrow is brim* ming over. There is now little doubt that Lingyuan is completely in the hands of the attackers. The fleeing Chinese were subjected to a terrific aerial bombardment with terrible slaughter. With the disaffection of General Sun’s troops the whole line has been thrown out of gear. Two brigades on the Chinese right flank had no option but to retire.