JAPANESE SETBACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 253, 25 October 1937, Page 7

JAPANESE SETBACK

THE TAZANG BATTLE May Be Final Clash For Mastery HORDES OF CHINESE ATTACKING WITH GREAT SPIRIT (By 1 elcgraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 22. Japan’s invasion of China seems to have received a setback. The waves of Chinese counter-at-tacks on the Shanghai fronts dealt severely with the Japanese, who tried unsuccessfully to stem the onrush of hordes of Chinese. In the Woosung Creek area the Chinese attacked with great spirit and recaptured the Elack Prince Temple and several positions, threatening the rear of the Japanese salient west of Tazang, the occupation of which cost the Japanese heavily. These may be the final battles for the mastery of Shanghai. Both sides are determined to fight to the end, despite the staggering losses. Nanking reports that the Japanese in North China are threatened with annihilation owing to the outflanking manoeuvres and guerrilla raids of the Red Army in Shansi Province. The Chinese recapture of the Hsinkow heights has relieved the beleagured troops. The “Red Napoleon,” General Chuteh is co-operating with General Wei, who commands an army of 200,000 Nanking regulars. Peasant guerrilla forces are interrupting swift thrusts which are interrupting the Japanese supplies. Mobile units cm the Japanese rail communications in seven places. Chinese ’planes are assisting to cripple the Japanese transport, and are bombing troop and munition lorries.

Tokio is anticipating a Japanese otfensive against Sinanfu, the capital of Shantung.

The Chinese have opened the dykes of the Tuhsieh River and flooded an area over which the Japanese had planned to advance.

The Japanese are taking over the Tsingsing coal mines in North China, containing 220,000,000 tons of coal, from a joint Sino-German company, buying out the German share. GREAT EXPLOSIONS BATTLEFIELD rocked HEAVY AIR BOMBARDMENT SHANGHAI, Oct. 22. Tazang, the chief Japanese objective in North Shanghai, remains in Chinese hands. The battlefield was locked like an earthquake by three big explosions, believed to be land mines. Flame and smoke shot hundreds of feet in the air. It seemed impossible that a single Chinese soldier in the vicinity would remain alive. Fighting continues unabated as both sides feel it may prove the decisive battle of the war. Japanese ’planes since dawn have been carrying out a heavy bombardment. At least 250,000 troops, a score of warships, and dozens of ’planes are engaged fighting next door to the International Settlement, nowhere over five miles away. British cotton mills are ablaze, but other foreign property has miraculously escaped. Japanese reinforcements numbering 25,000 have landed at Shanghai. THE SILKSWORTH NEW CREW ENGAGED CHINESE WAGES CLAIM SYDNEY, Oct. 23. A new crew from Sydney has joined the Silksworth, which is expected to sail from Newcastle to-day. A large searchlight was played on the vessel throughout the night, but there were no intruders on the wharf. Because of a dispute about the paybent of wages the Chinese crew are again classed as deserters and prohibited immigrants and are liable to rearrest. The Chinese demand to be paid full wages until they reach a Chinese port in a passenger ship. NEW SUPPORT FOR NANKING JAPANESE CLAIM SUCCESS Received Oct. 24, 6.30 p.m. TOKIO, Oct. 23. According to Japanese information, General Han Fu-Chu, Governor of the Shantung Province, who has decided to take the field against Japan, posted two divisions at Tsingtao to protect that vital port. The Japanese are cautiously advancing towards Tsinan, and claim to have cut a passage to their beleaguered compatriots. A NEW GOVERNMENT AT PEKING I Received Oct. 24, 6.30 p.m. PEKING, Oct. 23. A special Japanese military mission has arrived, and the early establishment of a Government independent of Nanking is expected. INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT DAMAGED BY BOMB AMERICAN PROTEST MADE SHANGHAI, Oct. 22. A Japanese bomb fell in the International Settlement near Soochow Creek, killing 30 persons and wounding others, including four Sikhs and a United States marine.*. The American Embassy lodged a

protest with the Japanese comman-der-in-chief, who promised that everything would be done to prevent recurrence. CHINA’S NEED LONDON CITY'S RESPONSE LARGE AND SMALL DONATIONS Received Oct. 24, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 24. The first contributions to the Lord Mayor's Chinese Fund include sums ranging from one thousand guineas, which the City Corporation subscribed, to a shilling. The Bank of England, Sir Abe Bailey, and Lord Wakefield have each given £lOOO. The important banks have subscribed five hundred guineas. THE SILKSWORTH SAILS Received Oct. 24, 9.25 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 24. Manned by a volunteer crew, the steamer Silksworth sailed from Newcastle for Darien.