FIERCE FIGHTING IN CHINA

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 November 1948, Page 5

FIERCE FIGHTING IN CHINA

Appeal To United States To Avert The Country's Collapse

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyrisht)

NANKING, Nov. 27 (Kec. 5.30 pm).—Fierce fighting is going on at Pinpi, 35 miles north of Pengpu, revealing that Communist forces have made substantial gains in the past 48 hours in the

uiarcu ou iNauKing. The Legislative Yuan today urgently appealed to the United States for immediate aid to avert China’s collapse “in America’s self interest.’’ The appeal warned that if China is lost to the Communists, who -are “tools of an aggressive international bloc,” American security and world peace would be endangered. A Reuter correspondent says that Government columns are also locked in a bitter combat with strong Communist armies 't points 60 miles south and 40 miles south-west of Suhsien, which is halfway between Hsuchow and Pengpu. The Communists are also reported to have infiltrated into the railway area between Pengpu and Nanking. Powerful Government units have claimed to have encircled 10,00 Communists in the vicinity of Changpaling, about 45 miles north of Nanking. As the Nationalists battle desperately to stem the Communist drive on Nanking, no operations were reported today in the Hsuchow area, where three Nationalist army groups are believed to have been held to the defensive within a tightening Communist encirclement. All communications between Tientsin and Chinwangtao ceased last night. Informed quarters believe that com-

plete withdrawal was effected overnight. Communications have also ceased with Shanhaikuan, indicating the abandonment also of this historic easternmost Great Wall pass, form; ing a junction between east Hopei and western Manchuria. The abandonment of Chinwangtao and Shnhaikuan, formerly important strategic points, obviously were carried out to preserve military manpower and supplies. "" ,li : 'it