CHINA’S DEFIANT ANSWER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20896, 27 November 1937, Page 17

CHINA’S DEFIANT ANSWER

“WILL RESIST TO LAST MAN” GROWING ARROGANCE OF JAPAN FEARS OF ASSISTANCE FROM RUSSIA United Press Association—By Eleom Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 25. "Make peace or you will soon be driven from power.” This is the reported warning that the Japanese army and navy leaders have delivered to Marshal Chiang-Kai-Shek, after which the Prime Minister retored: "It is our fixed policy to resist to the last inch and the last man.” The Japanese message is reported to have added that if Marshal Chiang-Kai-Shek accepted a truce he would be permitted to remain head of a Central Government at Nankin. In return the Japanese pledged themselves not to annex an inch of Chinese soil. General Hoy-ing-Ching and othsrs of the Peace Group, are reported to be in favour of acceptance. Japanese New Threats General Matsui told the press that unless the Chinese resistance ceases, the Japanese will march up the Yangtze Valley to the heart of China: “We are, he said, "preparing for decisive drives westward unless the Chinese reconsider their attitude. We will advance successively on Nankin and Hankow and even to Chunkiang." The Japanese military leaders are endeavouring direct action to secure control of the Chinese Maritime Customs Administration, which is the security for the Chinese loans and the Boxer indemnity. If this were carried out, it would shake the whole system of international finance in China. SOUTHERN FORCES ACTIVE MILLION CONSCRIPTS IN TRAINING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 27, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. General Pai Chungshi, regarded as successor to Marshal Chiang Kai Shek, has a million conscripts training in Kwangsi, and Southern feeling will certainly prevent surrender to Japan, however accommodating the north may be. General Chan Chaitong, the former southern warlord is donating 7,000,000 dollars to the war chest from his wealth accumulated while ruler of Canton.

ACTIVITY IN HONGKONG RUSH OF RECRUITS TO COLOURS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 27, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. The Hongkong correspondent of "The Times” says: “No X-ray quality of vision is required to detect certain liveliness in the defence preparations in Hongkong. The Government, at last, has decided to permit the Chinese to join the Hongkong volunteers. There was an immediate rush of recruits. RUSSO-JAPANESE TENSION REPLY TO TOKIO’S POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, November 25. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Dally Herald” reports that an extremely critical situation has developed between the Russians and Japanese in the Far East after the arrival of large numbers of Russian bombing and fighting 'planes at the Chinese headquarters. Soviet submarines are also reported to have been taken overland in parts to Vladivostok where they are being assembled day and night. This is regarded as Russia’s reply to Japan's action In massing 500,000 troops on the Manchukuo-Maongoia frontier. JAPAN’S MILITARY SUCCESS ON THS ROAD TO NANKIN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 25. The Japanese announce that they have occupied Wusih after a seven days’ bombardment. It Is claimed that the fall of the city is the first stage of the collapse of the Chinese "Hindenburg Line.” Once this line is smashed, the Japanese face the main Nankin defences. Apart from fitful engagements i the Wushing and Wusih sectors, fighting is temporarily held up while the Japanese prepare to resume the advance. A bride and bridegroom were killed, and 200 others killed and wounded when the hotel at Changsha was bombed during the wedding ceremony. Mr Herbert Phillips, British ConsulGeneral at Shanghai, has warned British merchantment to reply readily and correctly to signals from Japanese warships. Great Britain has agreed that the Japanese shall be free to board British ships to verify their nationality.

INTENSE AERIAL ACTIVITY ONWARD MARCH OF ARMZ United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright (Received November 27, 12.50 a.m.) SHANGHAI, November 26. Japanese planes heavily bombed Changchow. A column is operating on the southern shores of Lake Taihu

and is now eighteen miles west of Wushing. The forces north of the lake are preparing to advance to Changchow. ANTI-BRITISH FEELING ALLEGATIONS OF ASSISTANCE TO CHINA United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright (R-reived November 26, 11.55 p.m.) TOKIO, November 26. The Japanese press gives prominence to the allegations that British military assistance to China is contained in documents seized after the Japanese occupied the Chinese positions in Shanghai. British residents here are becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the popular wave of anti-English feeling. They are complaining strongly that nothing is being done to counteract the campaign nor enlighten the Japanese of the truth of England's position in regard to the public v/lio know only what they learn from newspapers and radio. FOOD FOR SHANGHAI FAMINE DANGER PASSES United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright (Received November 27, 12.5 a.m.) SHANGHAI, November 26. The famine danger in Shanghai has been removed temporarily after boatloads of rice from outports arrived. The Inflow of produce from Pootung is feeding hundreds of thousands of pltably destitute Inhabitants who are wholly dependent on charity. The situation continues to be a serious problem. BOYCOTT URGED OPPOSITION GROWING IN AMERICA United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 26, 9.10 j.m.) NEW YORK, November 25. A report of a special committee on international law on the New York chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, recommends a United States economic boycott of Italy, Japan and Germany, and the removal of trade restrictions against Spain and China. The report states that the measures would be neither punitive nor forceful, but would merely be intended to prevent the use of the financial, economic and industrial resources of the United States by aggressors against countries with whom the United States is at peace.