PANIC CHECKED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 276, 20 November 1937, Page 9

PANIC CHECKED

Evacuation Of Nanking JAPANESE HALTED Fresh Regiments Of Chinese WAR SUPPLIES POURING IN £By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! Received Nov. 19, 11.5 p.m. NANKING, Nov. 19. ' The panic has been checked at Nanking and order has been reestablished, permitting the evacuation to proceed calmly. Scores of fresh regiments have been thrown into the lines westward of Shanghai and their appearance has rallied the demoralised divisions and stopped the Japanese* triumphal march on Nanking. The Japanese have only gained a foothold in a corner of Kashing and the Chinese are holding on desperately, fighting hand-to-hand in the streets. New barricades have been erected across the Yangtse in the vicinity of the Kiin forts to impede the advance of the Japanese warships. It is revealed that the route of the Chinese before Shanghai was responsible for the sensational Japanese break through towards Nanking. These troops caused the remainder of the line to retreat in disorder. The effective troops were Manchurians from part of the army of General Chang Sheh-liang. The Times Hongkong correspondent says that the Japanese ’planes have resumed the bombing of the southern railway but without serious damage Their activities are believed to be due to reports that large shipments of trucks and lighting ’planes have arrived. The training of Chinese conscripts, sale of war bonds and collections and the purchasing of aeroplanes and munitions has been intensified, indicating the intention of the Chinese to continue fighting whatever Nanking’s fate. The United Press Manila correspondent says that reliable private messages declare that British arms shipments to China, including aircraft, anti-aircraft guns, rifles, ammunition, medical supplies and motor trucks are pouring into Hongkong, choking the warehouses. It is stated that they have been sent by private interests with “encouragement” of the British Foreign Office which, it is asserted, is anxious to offset a clear-cut Japanese victory. JAPANESE CLAIM RASHING ENTERED THE SOOCHOW AREA CHINESE WITHDRAWING SHANGHAI, Nov. 18. The Japanese claim to have entered Kashing on the railway line between Shanghai and Hangchow. It is also claimed that a detachment advancing from Kunshan has occupied Mengchiangmiao, half-way between Kunshun and Coochow. The Japanese air reconnaissance- reported that it is revealed that the Chinese have begun a withdrawal from Soochow northwards. The Chinese claim that reinforcements in the Kunshan area, west of Shanghai, have succeeded in holding up the Japanese advance fifteen miles east of Soochow. Foreign military attaches estimate that General Chiang Kai-shek has 4u0,000 troops defending a line 83 miles long west and north of Shanghai. English and American owners who visited their homes in the Hungjao Road area found that the Japanese troops had looted them, though the homes were flying the British and American flags. The British United Press correspondent in Shansi Province describes the province as a hell on earth. Many towns are in blackened ruins ana the Chinese forces are killing horses and mules for food.