MARCH ON NANKING

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 December 1937, Page 5

MARCH ON NANKING

INTENSE JAPANESE ATTACK CHINESE RETREAT. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, Tuesday. The Japanese are within a thousand yards of Nanking and are preparing for a formal entry, which will mark the first occupation by invading foreigners throughout the city’s long history. Other reports affirm that the military, naval and aerial forces carried out a combined attack on Nanking and Wuhu to-day, with over ninety planes, for a period of two hours. It was the most intensive bombing to which the capital has thus far been subjected, although it has suffered 119 previous bombardments, and was carried out with a view to completing the demoralisation of the defenders, whose resistance has collapsed.

The provincial troops, whose lines were securely held when Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek inspected them yesterday, have now retreated, though three crack divisions were assigned for the defence of the city. WILD CONFUSION. FIRES RAGING. LONDON, Tuesday. Wild confusion prevails at Nanking, says the British United Press correspondent. Fires are raging along the riverside warehouses and also in the centre of the city, due to the Japanese bombing, which extended to the Pukow railway station, killing and wounding many refugees huddled there. The police are unable to check sections of the populace, who are looting everywhere. Thousands of frenzied Chinese gathered screaming for admission to the safety zone. ASSAULT AGAINST NANKING. FURIOUS BATTLE RAGED. (Received Wednesday, 9.15 a.m.) TOKIO, Tuesday. The Japanees forces, having occupied all the strategic positions in the suburbs, began a general attack against Nanking this morning. The city now is surrounded by smoke. A later message states that a furious battle is raging before Nanking. The Japanese have reached the walls of the city, while the main army is ready for the final attack.

The Chinese troops, who are hurriedly evacuating Nanking and crossing the river in junks, are setting fire to buildings as they retreat. The Domei News Agency expresses the opinion that Japan is likely to break off diplomatic relations with China after the fall of Nanking, which will reduce Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek’s Government to the status of a local administration. Marshal Chiang KaiShek has left Nanking, and, it is believed, has gone to Nanchang. NEGOTIATIONS POSSIBLE IF JAPANESE REASONABLE. (Received Wednesday, 10.45 a.m.)' TOKIO, Tuesday. The German Ambassador, Herr Von Direksen, following upon the German Minister to China Dr. Traumann’s talks with Marshal Chiang Kai Shek, conferred with Mr K. Hirota, possibly regarding China’s peaceful surrender of Nanking. A Shanghai message states that certain Central Government circles are believed to have declared that negotiations are possible if the Japanese terms are reasonable.

DESTRUCTION AT NANKING. MAKING CITY UNTENABLE. (Received Wednesday, 10.45 a.m.) NANKING, Tuesday. Determined to make Nanking untenable for the Japanese the Chinese defenders before withdrawal are systematically blowing up and burning buildings, ammunition dumps and hangars, the intention being to give the conquerors nothing but an ash heap to occupy. Every sound Chinese plane has departed. Those under repair have been destroyed. The authorities are shooting looters. JAPANESE POLICY. TOWARDS BRITAIN AND U.S.A. LONDON, Tuesday. The Japanese Cabinet is arranging* for the Imperial Council, under the presidency of the Emperor, to consider its policy towards Britain and America, and also whether Japan shall refrain from recognising the Chinese Government, leave China independent, or declare war, says the Tokio correspondent of “The Times.” SETTLEMENT HOTEL INCIDENT. JAPANESE APOLOGY. (Received Wednesday, 10.0 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Tuesday. The Japanese Consul-General, Mr Okamoto, apologised to the Chaiiman of the Municipal Council of the International Settlement for the incident at the Great Eastern Hotel, and promised that there would be no recurrence. LINE OF FORTIFICATIONS. IN WESTERN CHINA. (Received Wednesday, 10.0 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Tuesday. The Chinese are constructing a fresh line of fortifications on the right bank of the Yellow River, from the Tung-kuan-Shansi border to a point 60 miles within the Shantung border, a total of 250 miles, manned by 22 divisions. The Chinese have reoccupied Ping-

yao, 55 miles south-west of Taiyuanfu. BOMBING OF BRITISH SHIPS. ADMIRAL’S PROTEST. LONDON, Monday. A Shanghai message states that Admiral Little has protested to Admiral Hasegawa against the bombing of British ships at Wuhu. The Consul-General supported the protest.