FACING SERIOUS SITUATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21359, 31 May 1939, Page 9

FACING SERIOUS SITUATION

JAPAN’S PLIGHT IN

CHINA

Reports of Crushing

Reverses

Reaction to Blockade Foolishness

Propagandists Resort to Divergencies

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 30, 6.30 p.m.) HONGKONG, May 30.

It is believed that the report circulated yesterday that the Japanese shot down 40 ’planes on the Outer Mongolian border, cannot be accepted even by the Japanese. It is officially intended to divert attention from the China situation, which is more serious because of the mistakes due to the boarding of British and French ships. It is also understood that Tokio is concerned over the Chinese guerrilla activities, which are creating difficulties behind the lines, as well as the Kulangsu situation. BATTLES ON BIG SCALE REPORTS OF HEAVY DEFEATS OF JAPANESE SUCCESS OF GUERRILLA TACTICS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. May 30. The Japanese are reported to have been crushingly defeated in a big scale drive against Siangyang and Fancheng, and to have withdrawn towards Anlu in order to reorganise. The opinion is expressed, however, that three months must elapse before another major attack can be launched since the Japanese have lost 20,000 men. Chinese guerrilla forces have reconquered a huge area of Anhwei, the Japanese retaining control only of the riverside cities and a narrow strip along the railways. The Chinese have ejected, shot and taken prisoner Chinese officials nominated by the Japanese in the Shucheng, Tung-cheng and Lluan districts.

LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES STAGGERING PRICE OF WARFARE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 29. The Japanese, owing to losses, have abandoned any attempt at further invasion in these territories. The Tokio representative of "The Times" states that 936.345 Chinese dead have been counted on the battlefields from the beginning of hostilities to April 30, while 59,998 Japanese have been killed. The actual number killed is believed to be much larger. The total Chinese casualties are estimated at 2,300,000. The Japanese have captured 215,000 rifles, 330 heavy guns, and 11,000 machine guns. BLOCKADE OF CHINESE COAST JAPANS MODIFIED ATTITUDE United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 29. A Japanese naval spokesman, in announcing a modification of the coastal blockade, said that such incidents as the boarding of the P. and O. liner Ranpura and the French vessel Aramis, were unlikely to recur because vessels whose nationality were clear, and which were unlikely to aid Marshal Chiang Kai-shek would not be detained.

Naval parties would still board suspicious ships. Traffic would be prohibited. and clearances refused from Shanghai to nine coastal ports in Chinese controlled territory. The Japanese would demand, even i’ foreign warships escorted ships, that such warships must ascertain whether the merchantmen were carrying contraband. An Independent cable message from Shanghai states that Kulangsu is not blockaded, but the Japanese are making the situation difficult by hindering supplies of vegetables from the mainland. Prices for provisions have risen as at present they must be secured from Shanghai. ANOTHER SPHERE OF ANXIETY CLASH WITH SOVIET GUNBOATS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 31, 12.20 a.m.) TOKIO, May 30. According to reports from Hsinking, Soviet gunboats attacked two ManChukuo gunboats at Ussuri. The Manchukuo gunboats were severely damaged.

A vigorous protest has been sent to Moscow.