JAPANESE GRIP TIGHTENS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 7

JAPANESE GRIP TIGHTENS

DEMANDS ON FOREIGN INTERESTS

CHINESE WITHDRAWAL FROM NANKIN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 21. The Japanese grip on the International Settlement is tightening. The military attache, Major Harada, has conveyed certain demands to the British, American and French officials of the Municipal Council which include the liberty to march troops along the Bund; and the surrender of interned Chinese, including 377 survivors of the “doomed battalion.” The Japanese also require acknowledgment of their right to take over all sovereign rights in the Settlement which were formerly exercised by China. If these demands are not granted, Japan reserves the right to take necessary measures. A later message states that the International Municipal Authorities have agreed to accede to the Japanese requests as far as possible.

ADVANCE ON NANKIN JAPANESE INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph —Copyright TOKIO, November 21. Japanese forces, to the westward and north westward, are completing their preparations for the advance on Nankin, which the Chinese, though not unanimously, declare will be defended to the 'ast man. A Japanese naval and military force has landed at Fushan on the eastern Yangseklang and established communications behind the lines linking up up Fushan, Changshu and Soochow on the Shanghai-Nankln Canal and railway, and then advanced upon Wusih, thereby threatening the flank of the Chinese secondary defences, and barring the road to Nankin, 100 miles away.

The Chinese are retreating in disorder from Soochow, where the Japanese assert that they bayoneted 1,000 and took 2,000 prisoners. Air Force Destroyed The Chinese Air Force has ceased to exist as a fighting unit, and, therefore, there is nothing to prevent the Japanese 'planes from continuously bombing and machine-gunning the fugitives. The victors are now advancing on the entire f-'nt. This is based in a rough semi-circle, connecting Huchowfu, Soochow, and Fushan. The intention is crucially to test the Chinese "Hindenburg Line,” connecting Wusih and Kiangyin. The fate of Ninkin hangs here on a thread.

CONTROL OF SHANGHAI .OUTLINE OF JAPANESE POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 22, 10.15 pjn.) LONDON, November 22. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says: Japan’s requirements are sound and formidable but inquiries elicit the information that though the Japanese regard themselves as controlling Chinese territory in the vicinity of Shanghai they will not interfere with the functioning of Customs posts and district courts for the nresent provided the operation of these services does not affect Japanese interests. The authorities in the foreign areas would refer to the Treaty Powers any demands involving requirements exceeding their rights to concede.

FLIGHT FROM NANKIN FOREIGN EMBASSIES LEAVING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 22, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 22. A message from Nankin says that after learning that the Chinese Foreign Ministry is going to Hangkow, Jhe British Embassy will depart on Tuesday and 'he American on Monday, for Hankkow. All other Embassies except the German are being completely evacuated. Threat at Indo-Cbina The Japanese captured Llnslng in Western Shantung and landed 200 sailors on Weichow Island In the Gulf of Tinkin/near to French Indo-China, in order to dominate the shipping at the port of Pakhoi.

RAID BY BANDITS DISORDERS IN HOPEI United Press Association--By Electric Telegraph -Copyright (Received November 22, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 22. It is reported from Peking that serious disorders accompanied by murder and looting have occurred at Puyang, Southwest Hopei owing to the bandits impoverishing the farmers. The Living Buddah has arrived at Mukden. The Japanese reports that he manifests an enthusiasm at the prospect of tightening the bonds between seven million Buddhists in Manchuria and Mongolia.