WAR IN CHINA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23082, 22 December 1944, Page 5

WAR IN CHINA

Situation Easier RUGBY, Dec. 20. Tire Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden), asked in the House of Commons whether in view of the recent Japanese advances, he had any statement to make on the Chinese war situation, replied: “The recent advance towards Kweiyang constituted a grave menace to our Chinese allies and I feel sure the House will express its confidence in them in this fresh trial in their eighth year of war. Public declarations by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek show that the challenge has been met with undaunted courage, and the British Government affirms its solidarity with him in the measure which he and his able American collaborator, Major-General A. C. Wedemeyer, are taking. I am glad to say, however, that for the time being at least the situation is easier and the Japanese have withdrawn some distance from the farthest point they reached.

“Meanwhile, outside China, Chinese troops have made a notable contribution by the capture of the Japanese Burma base of Bhamo. The complete defeat of Japan and the liberation of China are being hastened by the blows being dealt at the common enemy by the forces under Lord Louis Mountbatten in Burma and those under Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur in the Pacific.”