THREAT TO CANTON

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

THREAT TO CANTON

AIM OF THE JAPANESE CUTTING OF KAI-SHEK’S LIFELINE THE RAILWAY TO KOWLOON. I [By Telegraph—Prese Association—Copyright) Received Oct. 13, 6.23 p.m. HONGKONG, Oct. 13. The main invading force met but slight opposition, but heavy fighting occurred when the other sections landed at the northern end of Bias Bay. The Japanese admit that 50,000 was an insufficient force to capture Canton, for which reason it is believed that the Japanese will content themselves at present with cutting the Kowloon-Canton railway which, running from British territory, has been General Kai-shek’s lifeline. It is estimated that a million Chinese are available to defend Canton. On news of the invasion British and other consuls at Canton, except the German, immediately advised women and children to quit the city, though the Canton authorities are confident of their ability to defeat the invaders. There are at present five British, one American and one French gunboat at Canton. Meanwhile, British authorities at Hongkong, as a precautionary measure, have sent to the border two companies of the Middlesex Regiment. ATTITUDE TO THIRD POWERS JAPAN’S ALM REITERATED Received Oct. 13, 5.5 p.m. TOKIO, Oct. 12. 1 The Foreign Office repeats that the : Government is anxious to respect the rights of third Powers and hopes that foreign ships in South China waters will voluntarily control their movements in view of the Japanese operations. JAPAN’S INTENTIONS FOREIGN SPOKESMAN STATES THEM NO HOSTILITY TO THIRD POWERS. ( Per Press Association.] I WELLINGTON. Oct. 13. The Consul-General for Japan, Mr. K. Gunji, has been advised that the spokesman for the Foreign Office at Tokio has issued the following statement: ‘The operations just undertaken in South China by the Imperial Japanese Forces are purely military operations for the purpose of intercepting the principal route for the arms and munitions supply to the Chinese forces and destroying the important points of hostile machinations against Japan. The policy hitherto pursued by the Japanese Government respecting the rights and interests of third Powers remains unchanged. Although our best efforts will, therefore, be exerted for the prevention of any damage to them in the present operations, it is earnestly hoped that third Powers will understand the real intentions of Japan and extend cooperation to the efforts of the Japanese forces and hereby preclude the occurrence of any untoward incidents.”