FLOODS HAMPER JAPANESE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21064, 16 June 1938, Page 7

FLOODS HAMPER JAPANESE

Breaches of Dykes in Yellow River EXTENSIVE AREA INUNDATED “ Position Daily Becoming More Serious ” United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received June 15, 8.30 pm.) LONDON, June 15. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says: “Owing to further breacnes in the dykes, in the Yellow river, floods are pouring over the Honan plains, and the position is daily becoming more serious. GRAVE DISASTER THREATENED JAPANESE ARMIES IMPERILLED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received June 15, 11.50 p.m.) SHANGHAI, June 15. There is no definite information as to how many Japanese soldiers perished in the Yellow River floods. The Japanese believe the army escaped in the vicinity of Chengchow, which is submerged under five feet of water. The Japanese consider the repair of the dykes cannot be achieved owing to the rapidity of the current and the continuous rain. Railway experts point out that the maximum normal flooding comes at the end of July and freely predict a major catastrophe. They fear the river will burst the bend opposite Kaifeng, and resume its old bed. This will devastate Shantung, in North Honan and North Kiangsu, entering the sea at Haichow and then still, if not imperilling the whole Japanese army in North China. Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek has established a military Government at Hupeh, controlled by the noted strategist General Chencheng.