SOUTH CHINA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 301, 20 December 1937, Page 7

SOUTH CHINA

Threatened Japanese Invasion BRITISH ’PLANES WATCHING (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Dec. 19, 8.20 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 19. The Daily Mail’s Hongkong correspondent states that Britisli aeroplanes are reconnoitring on the South China coast, watching for signs of a threatened Japanese attack on Canton. According to Chinese reports, Japanese forces have landed in the Torshan district near Macao, also at Bias Bay, but are not yet attempting to march inland. It is reported from Amoy that 30 Japanese warships of all types are off Kimoi, outside Amoy Harbour. The Daily Telegraph’s Hongkong correspondent says that Japanese aeroplanes raided the northern outskirts of Canton. General Chiang Kai-shek has ordered the Kwangtung military authorities to prepare for war in view of the anticipated invasion of South China, but experts believe such an attack is not yet likely as Japan is not at present able to despatch the necessary 50,000 men. Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, however, states that Japan is not yet satisfied with her military successes, which seem to indicate further early offensives. Another Hongkong message states that 20 miles of defensive works are being feverishly prepared, mainly to prevent the entry of panic-stricken troops. Already Kwantung refugees are pouring into the city. The Chinese claim that in a duel with the Amoy forts a Japanese destroyer was sunk. TRIUMPHAL PAGEANT .. JAPANESE ENTER NANKING SHANGHAI, Dec. 17. The Japanese continue their mopping up operations at Nanking because, though 15,000 Chinese have been taken prisoners, 25,000 soldiers, disguised as civilians, are believed to remain in the capital. Three depleted Chinese divisions, which have been cut off from the main body of Nanking defenders, crossed the Japanese lines and reached Kwangteh, further depleted. General Matsui, accompanied by Prince Asaki and Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, made a triumphal entry into Nanking this afternoon, after reviewing the troops lining the route. Thousands of troops and 200 ’planes took part in the pageant. The Chinese are stubbornly resisting the Japanese, who have crossed the Y’angtse between Nanking and Wuhu.

MITSUNAMI’S RECALL Received Dec. 19, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 18. The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that the newspapers are forbidden to publish the news of Rear-Admiral Neizo Milsunami's recall, upon which officials decline to comment. Nevertheless, it is evident. that, as the highest Japanese naval air officer in China, he is being held responsible for the attack on the American ships. i FIGHTING FOR CHINA INTERNATIONAL AIR SQUADRON NEW ZEALANDER THOUGHT TO BE A MEMBER Received Dec. 19, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 18. The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the existence of an international air squadron in the service of the Chinese Government is revealed by one of its members who arrived at Hongkong to recuperate after crashing in a fight with Japanese 'planes near Hangkow. He is a New Yorker and goes under the name of Robert Wherton. “There are 20 of us, who light for a living. There were 22, but two have gone. We Americans cannot use our right names or we would lose our citizenship. Two Australians in the squadron are White and Whitehead (the latter is probably the New Zealander who flew the Tasman."