“OFFENSIVE ON ALL FRONTS”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 7

“OFFENSIVE ON ALL FRONTS”

CHINA’S MILITARY PLAN

JAPAN’S “VULNERABLE COMMUNICATIONS” INVASION UNITES ALL GROUPS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 10. The Shanghai correspondent ot ‘‘The Times” says: A Chinese military conference at Hankow Is reported to have decided to take the offensive on all fronts, It being felt that the Japanese are so spread over the country that their communications have become highly vulnerable, and the power to reinforce points of attack have become much reduced. JAPANESE OCCUPY TREATY PORT APPEAL TO POPULACE TO SURRENDER Omted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 11, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, January 10 The Japanese have occupied the treaty port of Tsingtao. The Domel News Agency states that the naval party opened the attack at dawn, and completed the landing without resistance and without casualties. An earlier message from Tsingtao direct states that five Japanese destroyers steamed Into the bay, supplementing the fleet already there, while seven 'planes flew over the city, dropping handbills and urging the Inhabitants to submit to Japanese occupation peacefully, and emphasising that the rights and interests of neutrals would be respected. H.M.S. Dorsetshire, the patrol-ship Grimsby, and the United States cruiser Marblehead are here. CHINESE DEMONSTRATION SEQUEL TO ARRESTS IN SINGAPORE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 10, 8.30 p.m.) SINGAPORE, January 10. On Sunday evening one thousand Chinese demonstrated at the central police station, where 300 Chinese, who were arrested earlier in the day for participation in an antl-Japanese demonstration were singing lustily in a lockup. Bricks and bottles were thrown. Two police were admitted to hospital. Others were slightly injured. The demonstrators gradually dispersed after midnight. This morning the station area was patrolled by armed police. BOMB THROWING BY CHINESE Italians in Disfavour United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 11, 1.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, January 10. A bomb devised from a tobacco tin was thrown at an Italian defence post. There were no casualties. An assailant simultaneously fired a revolver and escaped. The outrage is attributed to the growing Chinese resentment against the Italians, largely owing to the withdrawal of the Italian air mission.

EXTENSION OF CAMPAIGN JAPANESE LANDING REPULSED Un!tea Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 10, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 10. The Hongkong correspondent of “The Daily Mail’’ says: ‘‘Japanese destroyers bombarded the forts at Pin chai, on the Fukien coast and twice launched boatloads of marines, which the Chinese defenders drove back to the ships.

AID RAIDS ON NANNING CATHOLIC MISSION DESTROYED (Received January 10, 8.30 pm.) SHANGHAI, January 9. Twelve Japanese aeroplanes raided Nanning, the capital ot Kwangse. A Hong Kong message reports that bombs fell on the French Catholic Mission at Nanning killing Father Martin and wounding Father Cuenot. UNITED FRONT IN CHINA INTERESTING REVIEW OF GREAT CHANGES By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 10. The complete unification of China brought about as a result of Japanese aggression was emphasised by Mr Wong She, who returned to Wellington by the Awatea to-day after a three months’ visit to China. No longer were the war lords fighting one with the other, he said, but all were presenting a united front against the enemy. It was a pity that the yellow races who ought to behave like brothers, should be at each other's throats, but Japan was spurred on by the need of land and China wouid never submit to the demands made on her. Mr Wong She, who has been in business in Wellington for a number of years, left New Zealand five months ago for Canton, where he spent three months at the University studying higher business administration. During

his stay in Canton the city was bombed by Japanese planes whiSh destroyed the railway between Canton and Hong Kong. Steps had been taken, however, to repair the line Immediately and 15,000 men had been put to work with a result that the line had been repaired in a few days. China, said Mr Wong She, would never be beaten to her knees. If the Japanese persisted in their attack always they would encounter guerrilla warfare. The Chinese would adopt the stratagem used by the Russians against Napoleon. When their cities were threatened the Chinese would destroy them utterly and retire with their people into the hills, leaving the Japanese without a food supply in the countryside.