JAPAN REJOICES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21181, 31 October 1938, Page 9

JAPAN REJOICES

FALL OF CHINESE CITIES

Strength of Economic Bloc in Orient

Importance of Gains

to Invaders

Recasting Chinese Defences United Press Assoclatlon-By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received October 30, 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, October 29. A million Tokio citizens last night participated in lantern processions, rejoicing at the capture of Hankow and the neighbouring cities. They surged in front of the Imperial Palace where moving lanterns resembled a sea of flames. The Emperor and the Empress and their children, stood on the moat bridge for half an hour waving lanterns in response to multitudinous “banzais.” China’s Losses General Hata, commanding the Japanese expeditionary forces in Central China, interviewed by the Dome! News Agency, stated: "Although Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek lost 30 divisions, or one half of the central troops under his own command in the defence of Hankow, the loss of which reduced his regime to a mere provincial administration, the Japanese will not relax until Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek has been completely crushed."

The Japanese claim to have occupied the whole of Hupeh Province, east of the Peiping-Hankow railway. Hankow Ocupied A British Official Wireless message states that Information reaching London through official channels indicates that the occupation of Hankow by the Japanese has been completed without incident and that all British subjects resident there are safe. Respect for the zones set aside for the safety of the residents who remained, including 1200 foreigners, has been observed, and tlie British naval patrols, whose services in preserving law and order won expressions of appreciation from Japanese, who are policing the areas.

JAPAN’S GREAT GAINS REAL OBJECTIVE OF CAMPAIGN REVEALED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgh(Received October 30, 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, October 29. The Japanese hitherto have been a ‘‘have not” nation, but will be one of the greatest “haves’’ as the result of the economic bloc which is being established between Japan, Manchukuo and China,” declares the Japanese journal “Niehl Nichi. The “Nlch Nichi" continues: Manchukuo is increasing the output of minerals and with Korea, can oversupply Japan’s requirements jf 23,000,000 tons of iron ore in the next five years. There are also iron ores in North China and in the Yangtse Valley, while the coal deposits in China, including 127,000,000 tons in Shansi, in addition to the Japanese-Manchukuo supplies' will meet Japan’s demands for 240.000,000 tons during the next three years. Shantung will largely supply Japanese requirements for salt, hitherto imported. China will be able to develop cotton growing and the wool output of Manchukuo and Nortli China can easily be Increased to meet Japan's needs.

NO CHANGE ,'N POLICY UNCHECKED PURSUIT OF OBJECTIVES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 30, 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, October 29. Mr Hachirc Arlta (Foreign Minister) in an Interview said: Japan's foreign policy in China will not be changed. We shall act with a view to minimising international friction. Mr Arlta was formerly Japanese Ambassador to China and was appointed Foreign Minister in succession to General Ugakl. "The Kokumin Shimbun" forecasts another deadlock in Anglo-Japanese conversations unless Britain reconsiders her attitude. The paper suggests Mr Shigemitsu (the new Japanese Ambassador in London), should directly negotiate with Mr Chamberlain.

NEW CHAPTER IN CHINA "CONFIDENCE IN ULTIMATE VICTORY United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright CHUNGKING, October 28. The People’s Political Council (National Parliament) has met for the first time in session. This is regarded as marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Chinese-Japanese hostilities. A message was received from Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek declaring his confidence in an ultimate victory, the chances of which increased as the warfare proceeded farther westward. He added that China’s military preparations in the area of the PekingHankow railway were strengthened and political and military centres had been created behind the Japanese lines. Time had been gained to lay the foundation for the next phase of the conflict.

Mr Wang Chlngwel. deputy-leader of the Kuomintang, and Mr Lin Sen, chairman of the National Gcrernment,

reiterated China's determination to maintain her resistance. A Tokio message states that the Japanese allege that Chinese troops aboard vessels flying the French flag, fired on Japanese aeroplanes in the neighbourhood at Hankow on October 23. The Japanese did not retaliate owing to their respect for the Tricolour, but they have Intimated to France that they may be compelled to fire in such circumstances in future when France herself must assume the responsibility.

The Hankow correspondent of “The Times" reports that Japanese aeroplanes bombed an American mission at Tungpei, in Honan, and killed the three-year-old daughter of a missionary, Arthur Nyhus. The child’s mother and young sister were injured despite the American flag being clearly displayed.

JAPAN’S STRONG PROTEST SHIPMENTS OF ARMS TO CHINESE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 30, 7.30 p.m.) TOKIO, October 28. Japan has protested to the strongest terms to France, requesting the stoppage of the transit of arms to China through French Indo-China.