JAPAN SUFFERS REVERSES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21001, 1 April 1938, Page 9

JAPAN SUFFERS REVERSES

CHINA’S FIERCE REACTION INVADERS IN SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES POWERS FEAR GRAVE DEVELOPMENTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 30. The Chinese are reported to be inflicting a crushing defeat on the Japanese on the Tlentsin-Pukow railway front. The Japanese have begun a general withdrawal from the Klngy! sector after their failure to rescue the five thousand Japanese troops who were encircled by the Chinese. The Chinese are flanking Tsining to prevent other rescue troops from approaching. They are also destroying the railways in the Japanese rear, cutting off reinforcements from the north.

SETBACKS CONFIRMED DELICATE SITUATION CREATED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 31, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 30. The Australian Associated Press states that messages from official quarters confirm the Japanese setbacks in China. Moreover, the Chinese are confident of further forcing back the Japanese. There is, however, considerable apprehension as a result of the position arising from these setbacks. Evidently the Japanese have over-reached themselves, and they realise that the men, money, material and armaments necessary to reinforce their campaign will constitute an enormous strain on their resources. The possibility cannot be overlooked that the Japanese may be driven to desperate measures elsewhere, especially in connection with foreign Interests. This would create a very delicate situation in the Far East, even in the Pacific, especially if the Japanese considered it necessary to institute a blockade against the Chinese.

JAPAN PAYS CLAIMS COMPENSATION SECURED BY BRITAIN British Official Wireless (Received March 31, 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY, March 30. According to an answer in the House of Commons, claims have been presented to the Japanese Government for injury or loss of life to members of the British forces in China totalling £2420, which sum has already been paid by the Japanese Government. Instructions have also been sent to the British Ambassador to Japan for the presentation of claims for damage to merchant shipping during the incidents on the Yangtse River last December, the precise amount of which has not yet been determined, but It is in the region of £250,000, and other claims to the number of thirty-four, and amounting to over £7OOO, have also been the subject of preliminary notification to the Japanese authorities in China. MARSHAL’S CLOSE CALL ESCAPED DEATH IN AIR BATTLE United Press Association—By Electrto Te’ igraph—Copyright (Received March 31, 11.45 p.m.) HANKOW, March 31. It is revealed that Marshal Kai Shek yesterday narrowly escaped death in an air battle, when he visited the Tientsin-Nanking railway front. He was flying to Suchow, escorted by fourteen Chinese planes, which twentyfour Japanese fighters attacked, according to the Chinese report. Five Japanese and two Chinese were shot down.