URGENT CALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 June 1942, Page 3

URGENT CALL

ISSUED BY CHINA ALLIES MUST GIVE JAPAN NO REST. PROSPECT OF HOSTILITIES IN SIBERIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CHUNGKING, June 16. The Chinese military spokesman, in a statement today, made an urgent call for an immediate big offensive in the Pacific as the Chinese fight with dogged fury to prevent the Japanese pincers from closing on the Chekiang- railway. He stressed the urgency of not allowing the Japanese to rest, and added that if Japan were regarded complacently she might become the most, difficult Axis Power to defeat. The President of the Legislative Yuan, Dr Sun Fo, in a speech, declared that the war had entered an all-important and decisive phase in which Germany’s fate would be decided between the summer and autumn of 1942. If the European war ended next spring the war in the Far East would be settled simultaneously. He also said that Russia, though neutral regarding Japan, significantly had increased her troops on the Manchurian frontier from 18 divisions to 33 divisions, thereby immobilising 30 Japanese divisions, and consequently she was indirectly aiding the United Nations. The Chinese Cabinet met today to discuss a report that a Japanese invasion of Siberia is imminent. Increasing numbers of Japanese troops are stated to be pouring into Manchuria. EAST CHINA BATTLE. The Army spokesman said today that the Japanese in Chekiang have pushed 25 miles into Kiangsi Province. A communique says that Chinese troops withdrew on Sunday from the town of Kwangfeng, after a battle lasting all night, in which there were 1000 Japanese casualties. The enemy continued to advance westward. The railway gap between the two Japanese columns is now less than 80 miles. The Chinese have seized the initiative in the Nancheng region and are now storming a city which the Japanese captured recently. The spokesman asserted that the Chinese are scorching the earth everywhere. For example, they tore up the railway before their retreat. Therefore the Japanese would gain no immediate advantage from its seizure. Heavy fighting has revived along the middle of the Yangtse River. In Hupeh province the Japanese have entered Hosueh, where fierce fighting continues.