MASS OF FUGITIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 245, 15 October 1937, Page 7

MASS OF FUGITIVES

Chinese In North China IRRETRIEVABLE DISASTER (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 13. The Times Tokio correspondent says that all of the news confirms the impression that the Chinese has suffered a complete and irretrievable disaster, in North China and the defenders of Shihchiachwang, numbering 200,000 have become a mass of fugitives. Those sufficiently fortunate to be near the railway made off southwards but many thousands were caught in the net, the remainder fleeing through mountain passes into the hilly and inhospitable regions of Shansi. The Japanese reached a point 40 miles south of Shihchiachwang. Further southwards they bombed troop trains at Keikiu and half ruined Sungteh.

The Japanese making a thrust towards Taiyuan have reached Niangzekuan Pass, on the borders of Hopei and Shansi. A Peking message states that fighting has been renewed in the TientsinPukov railway, and the Japanese, attacking the Chinese who are entrenched at Pingyuan, are now within 40 miles of the Yellow River. SHANGHAI FRONT JAPANESE ADVANCE SLOW COUNTRYSIDE SEA OF MUD SHANGHAI, Oct. 13. The Japanese offensive has not made much progress on the Shanghai front. The Chinese spokesman pointed out that, though the war had lasted 28 days longer than in 1932, the Japanese had no advanced anything like as far from Shanghai, nor were able to consolidate their gain. The countryside round Shanghai is a sea of mud and is’ highly unfavourable for infantry operations. Whether the Japanese progress has been interrupted by the adverse weather cannot yet be determined, but it seems likely that the main southward thrust has not weakened the Chinese positions at Chapei and Kiangwan. The Japanese advance in North China is more successful, but here again the weather may be an important factor. Snow is beginning to fall in Mongolia and may soon bring the Suiyuan campaign to an end. The Japanese, however, hope to drive a wedge between Chinese Mongolia and China proper in order to cut communications between China and Russia before the winter.

Japanese ’planes are dropping handbills to Chinese troops on all fronts offering a dollar to every soldier deserting.

A Berlin message states that the reports that the Germans have been recalled from China is officially denied. A Rome message states that the report of the withdrawal of Italian volunteers is described as untrue. APPEAL FROM GENEVA MEDICAL AID FOR CHINA [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. Following the receipt of the Geneva message, an appeal signed by the president, Mrs. Lowry, was issued on behalf of the New Zealand Red Cross Society for assistance to enable it to meet the call by equipping surgeons and sending them for service in China and by supplying the Red Cross at Nanking with surgical accessories so urgently needed there. The society is confident that surgeons will be found to volunteer for such humane work. Arrangements will be made to send them out if possible in a joint unit with the Australian Red Cross surgeons. The immediate need is for funds. Thousands of pounds will be needed to meet the expenses entailed. In an interview Mrs. Lowry said that the sending of surgeons to China must be financed, and as president of the Red Cross in New Zealand, she called on all organisations, mayors, and churches to aid in answering the call. The need was urgent. Winter was approaching in China and it was necessary to act now. She said that the display of a 2s 6d Red Cross stamp on each motor-car and at each school or on each shop window was the best way of showing practical support. A conference was held yesterday between the executive officers of the Order of St. John, Mrs. Lowry, and Dr. Gillies, the Red Cross Society, and Mr. Gielgud, and it was decided that the order and society take joint action in the response to the international appeal. A meeting of both i organisations will be held to-morrow. JAPANESE BOYCOTT AMERICAN LABOUR APPROVES DENVER, Oct. 13. The American Federation of Labour voted approval of the Japanese boycott. BOMBING AT CHAFEI BRITISH HOUSE DAMAGED JAPANESE APOLOGY - . SHANGHAI, Oct. 13. During to-day’s extensive bombing Chapei a bomb fell 15 yaixls from a house manned by British troops and stove in the roof. There were no casualties. A protest was promptly sent to the Japanese commander, who sent an officer to apologise.