HALF A MILLION IN FLIGHT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20931, 10 January 1938, Page 7

HALF A MILLION IN FLIGHT

JAPANESE INVASION OF CHINA PERSISTENT REPORTS OF FOREIGN AID United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 7.30 p.m.) TOKIO, January 8. It is claimed that half a million Chinese are fleeing before the Japanese, who are advancing by three routes in Chantung, which the Chinese are evacuating. The Chinese have destroyed all the bridges east of Suchow. The Chinese troops lack artillery; indeed, China’s total artillery is reported to be barely sufficient for two divisions, but Japan is amply supplied for all her seventeen divisions in China.

The Japanese claim that yesterday’s raid on Nanchang destroyed ten Chinese planes, and shot down eight Russian planes. British Vessel Detained The Japanese detained the British cargo vessel Marion Moller, forcing her to anchor in a storm in Kaneda Bay, until it was ascertained whether any of the crew can be charged with espionage. Invasion of Shantung The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” says: The Japanese, advancing southward through Shantung, occupied Psowhsien, and another force has reached a point 80 miles east oi Tsinan.

Japanese aircraft severely bombed Anchang, damaging the airfield, hangars and barracks. “GENTLE BOWS” FOR SENTRIES JAPANESE ORDER IN HONGKOW United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright HONGKONG, January 7. Foreigners in Hongkow are now required to furnish particulars and photographs of themselves and their servants to the Japanese authorities, and must make a “gentle bow” when passing Japanese sentries, as they represent the Emperor. Foreigners are invited to drink free of charge a toast to the Emperor.

RED FORCES UNITING FOREIGN HELP FOR CHINA United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

(Received January 9, 7.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January 8. A message from Hankow states that the Chinese Communist Party has convened a congress with the object of strengthening its co-operation with Kuo-min-tang, including the mobilisation of labour and a more active participation in the war. Foreign sources in Canton report the arrival at Changsha of a large shipment of German anti-aircraft guns with two German instructors to train the Chinese. A Tokio message states that one hundred Russian aeroplanes have arrived at Hankow, where two hundred Soviet pilots are training Chinese to fly. A Berlin message states that, tn reply to a query as to whether Germany was exporting munitions to China through Hong Kong, a Foreign Office spokesman said that Germany was trying to check the exportation of arms to China. China’s Amazon Fighters Three hundred student soldiers from Kwangsi have arrived at Hankow, naif being women. This is the first unit of Amazons trained in fighting. They are equipped with rifles, light machine guns and automatic rifles. They are shortly going to Suchow. PAGEANTRY AND PAY JAPAN’S ENORMOUS WAR EXPENDITURE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 7.30 p.m.) TOKIO, January 8. Wearing a commander-in-chief” uniform, the Emperor held a New Year review of the army. Fifty tanks for the first time in history, participated. “The Asahi Shimbum” understands that a sum higher than the whole oi the ordinary budget of Japan is betas allocated for war expenditure in China. The fighting forces require over £233,000,000.

ENFORCING ORDER IN SHANGHAI PLANS TO PUNISH OFFENDERS PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 0, The following cablegram has been received by the Chinese ConsulGeneral from Hankow:— "A proclamation has been issued by the Shanghai Municipal Council stating that any person who commits an offence against the armed forces within the International Settlement will, on arrest, be handed over to the commander of the forces on which the offence has been committed, to oe dealt with. “The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a memorandum to the British, American and French T’mbassies stating that the Powers assumed by the Shanghai Municipality are in contradiction to the existing lawful system of the International Settlement. and the Chinese Government cannot, under any consideration, recognise such powers.”