JAPANESE TRANSPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 7

JAPANESE TRANSPORTS

Troops South-West Of Hongkong NEW PEKING GOVERNMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SHANGHAI, Dec. 15. Reports from Canton state that 12 Japanese troop-laden transports with a strong naval escort are approaching Towshan, 150 miles south-west of Hongkong. Hongkong reports that many thousands of Japanese soldiers are encamped on Island bases between Hainan and Pearl Delta. The’ Daily Telegraph’s Peiping correspondent says that China’s old five-barred flag for the first time since the Republic was declared in 1911 was ceremoniously hoisted by the new national Government. One exPremier and eight ex-Ministers were sworn in as members of the new provisional Republican anti-Com-munistic regime. CHINESE RESISTANCE CHIANG’S STATEMENT GOVERNMENT’S POLICY [ Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. The Chinese Consul has received the following cablegram from Hankow: General Chiang Kai-shek’s statement from the field at headquarters declared: "China will continue to resist the Japanese invasion notwithstanding the evacuation of Nanking. The withdrawal from Nanking has no effect upon the Government’s policy of resisting Japanese aggression, but will strengthen the national determination to continue the fighting. Since the seat of Government has been moved elsewhere Nanking has neither political nor military significance. I therefore ordered the withdrawal of the forces from Nanking to other lines in accordance with my plan to withdraw whenever the enemy’s superior armament makes it unnecessary for too great a sacrifice.”

The Chinese mobile units are active behind the Japanese lines on tht Yangtse delta. It is reported that Chinese troops retook Taichang. north-east of Quinshan. NANKING CASUALTIES C HINESE STILL RESISTING OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH TOKIO, Dec. 15. The Tokio Domei Agency estimates that the Chinese killed at Nanking exceed 70,000. The army spokesman admits that the Chinese are still strongly resisting in the north-east portion of Nanking, but claims that the Japanese have consolidated their position on the Yangtse from Shanghai to Wuhu, 250 miles, and have also captured Pukow, Kaingpu, Yangchow, and Wulungshan fort, north-east of Purple Mountain. General Matsui has issued a proclamation urging the residents of Nanking to return to their ancestral homes and pursue their avocations in complete peace. It is believed that the Japanese contemplate operations in South China. It is reporte that 50,000 troops from Shanghai and Nanking are preparing to sail to invade Kwantung. JAPANESE NOTES PREVENTION OF FURTHER INCIDENTS [ British Official Wirelees.J RUGBY, Dee. 15. The Japanese Government has handed to the British Ambassador in Tokio a Note to the British Government tendering "profound apologies” for the incidents when the British gunboats Ladybird, Bee, Cricket, and Scarab were "accidentally bombed.” It says that the Japanese Government immediately took necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of incidents of this nature, that those responsible would be dealt with suitably, and that the necessary compensation for damage would be paid to Britain. The Japanese Government expressed the hope that the unfortunate incidents would not impair the traditional friendship between Britain and Japan. A London message states that it is expected that Cabinet will to-day approve a strong British Note to Japan. Mr A. Eden will doubtless explain its purport in the House of Commons this afternoon.

A Tokio message states that the Japanese Note of regret to the United States was presented yesterday morning. It says that reports from Japanese representatives in China established that naval ’planes, acting on information that Chinese troops were fleeing in steamers up the river from Nanking, took off. However, owing to poor visibility the aircraft, although they descended to fairly low altitude, were unable to discern the marks showing whether they were American warships and merchantmen. The Note adds: "Japan fervently hopes that the unfortunate accident will not affect Japano-American most friendly, relations.” The Foreign Office spokesman, replying to a volley of journalists’ questions whether the Emperor would reply to President Roosevelt, replied in an awed voice: "Nobody is qualified to make a statement with regard to the Emperor's actions.” JAPANESE WOMEN REGRET TO AMERICA MOVE TO GIVE GUNBOAT TOKIO, Dec. 15. A delegation of girl students, after participation in the flag procession to celebrate the fall of Nanking, visited the American Ambassador and expressed the regret with which Japanese women regard the Panay incident. It is understood that a movement is on foot to start a national subscription to give the United States a gunto renlace the Pan a v.