FATE OF NANKING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 7

FATE OF NANKING

JAPANESE ADVANCE Blow To Hindenburg Line BATTLE IN THE AIR SOVIET MACHINES IN USE (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Nov. 23, 5.5 p.m. SHANGHAI, Nov. 22. The Japanese have occupied Wusih, the pivotal point of the second Hindenburg line defending Nanking. The Japanese claim that the fall of the city means the definite failure of the Chinese to resist the westward advance. A large Japanese licet is ceaselessly bombarding Kiangyin in an attempt to blow up the boom across the Yangtse. would enable further flanking movements, but the Chinkiang boom upstream checks ships intending to bombard Nanking. A Japanese ’plane flew over Nanking to-day and dropped a message urging General Chiang Kai-shek to surrender. Later a Japanese squadron engaged Chinese ’planes over the city. The Chinese weie using Soviet ’planes for the first time, and one Japanese machine was brought down. Japanese naval men seized the British steamer Kaiying’s of rice belonging to the Chinese Government, which was intended for the troops. Japanese Methods The Times Shanghai correspondent says that the Japanese are bombing every centre from Wusih to Nanking, particularly positions between Wusih and Jviangyin. The artillery then lays a barrage in advance of the infantry after the bombers have made way for the armies crawling behind them by damaging the defensive positions, scattering the concentrations, and paralysing troop movements and transportation supplies. The process without aerial resistance is simple and effective, and cannot be opposed with armies so unequally equipped as the Chinese. The Japanese are advancing so swiftly towards Nanking that aeroplanes are provisioning the vanguard, but the capture of Wusih is still unconfirmed. The invaders are consolidating the position south of Lake Tai. They have besieged Wushing, otherwise Huchowfu, a great silk-produc-ing town whose population has fled. Seven Japanese war ’planes ineffectively bombed and machine-gun-ned troops leaving Nanking to occupy defensive lines. Thousands of citizens have taken refuge in dugouts, some of which are mere holes half filled with water. Others are cemented and electrically lit structures capable of use as oflices. Retaliation is difficult, as the majority of anti-aircraft batteries have gone to Hangkow, but the Chinese, using machines from Russia, claim to have shot down two bombers while losing one lighter. The new Chinese pursuit ’plane is far faster than its predecessors. The foreign Embassies and Chinese officials are concerting a plan for approval of the Japanese high command, delimiting the neutral zone.

GERMAN ADVISERS REMAINING AT NANKING CHINESE ’PLANES IN ACTION LONDON, Nov. 22. The Times Shanghai correspondent says that General Falkenhausen and 49 other German advisers remain at Nanking, closely watching all matters in which they are experts. The British United Press Shanghai correspondent states that new ’Chinese warplanes have taken the offensive and are delivering bombing raids on the southern Japanese lines in order to raise the morale of the retreating Chinese. BRITISH EMBASSY DEPARTURE FOR NANKING SHANGHAI, Nov. 22. The British Embassy has decided not to delay its departure from Nanking and is leaving for Hankow today. DISCIPLINING CHINA JAPANESE PROPOSALS TOKIO, Nov. 22. Admiral Suetsugu and General (Jgaki interviewed the Premier, Prince Konoye, and urged the necessity for full disciplinary measures against China, including the occupation of Nanking. Admiral Suetsugu subsequently stated that declaration of war on China would depend on the development of the situation.