ATTACK ON NANKING

Wairarapa Daily Times, 9 December 1937, Page 7

ATTACK ON NANKING

JAPANESE ADVANCE TACTICALLY SLOWED UP. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, Wednesday. Tlie Japanese advance on Nanking is believed to have been slowed up till the capture of Wuhu ensures full support from the south-west. This is expected to-day. STEEL KING KOUND CITY. TIGHTENED UP BY JAPANESE. TOKIO, Wednesday. The Japanese are still tightening the steel ring round Nanking, bringing up troops and siege guns. They are reported to be mounting field guns on the summit of the Purple Mountain, whence they dominate the city and many miles of the Yangtse. It is expected that if a capitulation does not ensue, the siege will be one of the bloodiest encounters of the war. PEACE TALK. WAIT AND SEE POLICY. TOKIO, Wednesday. The Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Kawai) stated: “We are waiting to see what the Chinese will do before formulating peace plans. Meantime, the Chinese have displayed no signs of changing their anti-Japanese attitude. They must adopt a policy of complete co-operation with Japan before anything can be done. We suppose Britain •or other Powers with interests in China may be making efforts to persuade the Chinese to approach us. We regard such efforts as friendly.” JAPANESE DEMAND. TOKIO, Wednesday. The Domei Agency states that the Japanese command is delivering a demand to surrender to General Tang Sheng-chi, commanding 300,000 Chinese troops in the Nanking and Wuhu areas, before the Japanese apply final pressure, declaring that in “a true Samurai spirit,” the Japanese are not desirous of causing a heavy loss of non-combat-ants. o

In connection with plans to eliminate General Chiang Kai-Shek, it is unofficially. understood in Tokio that Japan is still ready to negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek, but that if overtures are not forthcoming, Japan will soon assume that he has resigned, and will proceed to the formation of a peace-at-any-price Government. The Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Kawai) hinted that Japan' may require territorial concessions in addition to her previous demands if resistance continues. He added that there is no need of hurry, and that any peace conference must be held in the Far East. CHINESE PREMIERSHIP. CHIANG KAI-SHEK MAY RETIRE. SHANGHAI, Wednesday. It is believed that General Chiang Kai-shek, following his departure' from Nanking, may possibly retire from the Premiership. His most likely successors are thought to be Dr. Wang Chingwei, a former Premier, who favours reaching a compromise with Japan, and General Ho Ying-chin, Minister of War. JAPANESE MOVEMENTS. TO CUT OFF CHINESE RETREAT. (Received Thursday, 10.15 a.m.) TOKIO, Wednesday. The Japanese, for the first time during the campaign, have crossed to the north bank of the Yangtse Kiang and seized Tsingkiang, opposite the Chinese forts at Kiangtin and are apparently trying to cut off the retreat of. the Chinese fleeting to Nanking. The Japanese now are only 15 miles from Wuhu. They also have occupied Cliingkiang, which the Chinese burned down. CHINESE RECAPTURE TOWN. JAPANESE ADMISSION. (Received Thursday, 11.15 a.m.) PEKING, Wednesday. A Japanese spokesman admits that the Chinese have recaptured Pingyao. BOMBING OF STEAMERS. JAPANESE EXPRESS REGRET. (Received Thursday, 11.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Wednesday. After a strong British protest against the bombing of the steamers Tuekwo and Tatung, the Chief-of-Staff of the Japanese Commander-in-Chief waited on Admiral Little and conveyed personal regrets. Britain will now lodge a bill of indemnity. >