OCCUPIED BY JAPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 42, 20 February 1943, Page 5

OCCUPIED BY JAPS

IMPORTANT HARBOUR ON CHINA COAST LEND-LEASE AID URGED (By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright) (Recd. 6 p.m.) Chungking, Feb. 18. The Japanese, moving in from four directions, have almost finished the occupation of Kwangehowan Bay, 250 miles south-west of Hongkong, says the United Press correspondent. Kwangehowan Bay was previously administered by French Indo-Ohiiia and is a most important naval harbour on the China coast, and the last to fall into Japanese hands.

A Chinese communique says: “The Japanese landed at Kwangehowan on Monday from live warships. Landings were also made at Luichow, Tungming and Tanghai Island. The Chinese are sternly resisting outside French territory.” A Chinese army spokesman reports that the Japanese forces which launched a series of drives around Canton a week ago have been beaten back and the Japanese were fleeing to their bases. However, lighting in the central Hupeh province is growing in intensity. The Japanese are conducting a carefully prepared operation and have made appreciable progress, but the Chinese have recovered some points.

A new Japanese offensive i» Reported in the Yengcheng sector of the Kiangsi province, where enemy planes have assisted the land forces in attacking guerrilla strongholds. There have been neavy casualties on Doth sides. A Washington message says that Representative Walter Judd, a former medical missionary in China, urging Lend-Lease extension before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, warned oi the possibility of losing China as a fighting ally unless Congress gives a political assurance in a declaration of foreign policy and post-war aims. He said the Chinese people no longer listen to promises, but need definite commitments.

"The question is not whether we will help China, but whether China helps us,” he added. Disunity threatened the Chungking Government unless economic aid and political undertakings were forthcoming.