CHINESE DRIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 7

CHINESE DRIVE

ADVANCE ON YIHSIEN

JAPANESE RETREAT

HEAVY ARMS WITHDRAWN

[By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright-’ HANKOW, April 12. The Chinese are advancing on lihsien, preceded by dare-to-die corps, who are showering hand grenades on the Japanese entrenchments on the adjacent hillsides.

The Japanese have withdrawn their heavy armaments to the north-west and the Chinese have occupied Luaukou and Tientkweishan, strategic points on the highway leading to the city.

Reinforced Japanese troops are withstanding the Chinese offensives at Changchuchen and Taifuchen between Shanghai and Nanking. The Chinese have occupied Chaochunwen in the Province of Taiyuan, while the Manchukuan troops have mutinied and joined the Chinese mobile units who are increasing theiJ supplies of army ammunition.

REPORTS REFUTED LEADERS NOT KILLED Received April 13, 5.5 p.m. HANKOW, April 12. The Japanese reports that Marsha) Chiang Kai-shek and Mr T. V. Soong were killed in an air raid on Changsha are officially denied. Neither wa* at Changsha at the time.

JAPANESE NOTE ALLEGED USE OF FOREIGN FLAGS. WARNING TO POWERS. Received April 13, 10.20 p.m. PEKING. April 13. At the request of the military authorities, the Japanese Embassy sent a Note to the British and other foreign embassies alleging that the Chinese aTo using buildings flying foreign flags from which to attack the Japanese. The Note requests the foreign embassies to demand assurances from the Chinese authorities that the Chinese v ill not use third Powers’ flags, and warns the Powers that unless the illegal use of such flags is stopped, the Japanese will not be responsible if the rights of foreign flags are infringed.

BRITAIN’S QUOTA

EXPORT OF WAR MATERIALS

( British Official Wiraleai.] Received April 13, 5.5 p.m. RUGBY, April 12.

Replying in the House of Common* to a question, Mr Euan Wallace (Secretary to the Board of Trade) said that the licences issued since July, 1937, for the export of war material from the United Kingdom destined for China and for Japan numbered, respectively, 19 and 8. The total value of arms, ammunition and military ana naval stores registered as consigned from the United Kingdom to China from July, 1937, to February 28, 1933, was £183,000, and the corresponding value for Japan was £61,000.

MEDIATION FOR PEACE

GOVERNMENTS NOT APPROACHED.

TOKIO, April 12. The Foreign Office spokesman denies that Japan has in any way approached the British or any Government to mediate for peace.