AMOY ISLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1938, Page 7

AMOY ISLAND

COMPLETELY IN HANDS OF JAPANESE FIGHTING IN THE TREATY PORT. CHINESE FORCES RETREAT TO MAINLAND. By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. SHANGHAI, May 12. It is reliably reported that the Japanese have captured the whole of Amoy Island, including the Treaty port, where fighting raged throughout, the day. The Chinese forces have retreated to the mainland. All foreigners are reported to be safe. Refugees are pouring into the foreign concession at Kulangsu, where 189 Britons and 36 Americans are safe. Two British and two American destroyers are standing by.

TENSE WAITING FOR JAPAN’S NEXT MOVE. CONCERN FOR SECURITY OF CANTON. LONDON, May 12. The Tokio correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says three possible motives are suggested for the attack on Amoy—strategic, economic and psychological. If strategic, it is believed to foreshadow operation in the Canton area. If economic, it is the prosperous Customs revenue that attracts and the occupation of Swatow and Foochow may be expected to follow shortly. If psychological, it is to cheer up and encourage the Japanese public in view of the failure to record a spectacular victory on the Suchow front. Possibly all three motives played a part in the navy’s action. The Hong Kong correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says all South China is now waiting tensely for Japan’s next move. The main concern in Hong Kong is the security of Canton, although all preparations to meet a Japanese attack have long been completed there.