NORTH OF HONGKONG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 242, 13 October 1938, Page 9

NORTH OF HONGKONG

JAPANESE LANDING SHELLING OF COASTLINE PLAN TO CUT CANTON RAILWAY? (By Telegraph—Pres* Association— Copyright] Received Oct. 12, 6.30 p.m. HONGKONG, Oct. 12. A large number of Japanese forces from 30 transports are reported to have landed at Hachung and Bias Bay. The landing is reported to have been effected at 4.30 (local time) after the shelling of the shore and the islands in the vicinity. It is believed that the Japanese are aiming at cutting the KowloonCanton railway dominating the Canton River mouth in order to cut off supplies from Canton. A joint Japanese army and navy communique confirms that the landing was effected “somewhere” in South China early to-day. Two companies of the Middlesex Regiment have been ordered to the border to assist the police in keeping order owing to the possible influx of Chinese refugees. The Japanese invasion of South China was officially announced in Tokio this morning. The Japanese Consul at Hongkong said that foreign interests in South China would be protected. The object of the invasion was to force Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's speedy downfall. Reuter’s correspondent at Hongkong says the Japanese landing force is estimated to number 30,000. Bias Bay is just north of Hongkong. 120 VESSELS USED MAGNITUDE OF JAPANESE LANDING. CARRIED OUT WITHOUT LOSS. Received Oct. 13, 1.20 a.m. HONGKONG, Oct. 12. Landing at Hongkong the China Mail’s special correspondent, who flew over the bay at dawn, said: "The surface of the beach was black with moving figures. A hundred and twenty vessels, including capital ships, aircraft carriers, destroyers, transports, and barges were disgorging soldiers. The invaders are barely 30 miles from the Hangkong borders." The East Surrey Regiment has been ordered from Singaoore to reinforce the Hongkong garrison. A Tokio message says that the Chinese were surprised by the sudden attack and did not offer a stiff resistance. A Japanese communique reports that the landing was completed in two hours without the slightest losses and the troops are now driving inland.

BOMBED FROM AIR JAPANESE SURVIVORS. HANKOW, Oct. 11. The Chinese to-day bombed from the air the 800 Japanese survivors of the battle west of Tehan, who were desperately holding out in the hills 10 miles from Tehan. IN NORTH CHINA JAPANESE LOSING GROUND. HONGKONG, Oct. 11. Reports from areas in North China occupied by the Japanese, especially in Shantung Province, indicate that the garrisons are rapidly losing control of the entire countryside. The only cities remaining in Japanese hands are Wei-hai-Wei and Chefoo. Wei-hai-Wei. on the coast of the Shantung peninsula, extends for 10 miles alon gthe Bay of Wei-hai-Wei. It was leased by Britain in 1898 and restored to China in 1930. It has a i naval and coaling station. The population of Chefoo is 93,000.