BRITAIN DISTURBED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 14 October 1938, Page 7

BRITAIN DISTURBED

NEW JAPANESE CAMPAIGN SOUTH CHINA INVASION NOTE SENT TO TOKIO (By Telegraph—Prese Association —Copyrightj HONGKONG, Oct. 12. There is heavy fighting in northern Bias Bay, north of Hongkong. The Associated Press (London) says that, disturbed by tfte magnitude of a new Japanese offensive in South China, Britain has sent a further Note to Tokio through Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambasador in Japan. It is understood that Japan is reminded that Anglo-Japanese relations would be jeopardised in the event of a threat to big British interests in Hongkong and elsewhere in South China. Acting on the advice of the British Consul, 30 women and children have left Canton for Hongkong. A new phase in the Sino-Japanese war has been opened with rhe powerful South China expedition, estimated at between 30,000 and 35.000. One report says that 50,000 landed, principally at Machung, from 70 transports covered by at least 50 naval craft. They met little resistance because of the swampy area being unsuitable for fortifications, and the defenders would have been faced not only with the invaders but with concentrated fire from Japanese warships. The invaders pressed on towards Waichow, 20 miles inland, where Chinese troops have rallied at the last of the outer lines protecting the great port of Can'on.