CLOSING IN

Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 December 1937, Page 5

CLOSING IN

RING ROUND NANKING FURIOUS FIGHTING. Press Association Electric Teleerapn—Copyright LONDON, Thursday. The encirclement of Nanking is complete and the ring is closing in, according to the Japanese spokesman. The Japanese this morning captured Tacliiao aerodrome and infantry college, half a mile from the eastern gates. There was furious fighting during the night. It is estimated that 240,000 Japanese were engaged. The Japanese vanguards have reached the Unicorn and Morning Sunshine gates in the outer wall. A big force is pushing on towards the Gate of Glory. Many of the Chinese are reported to be utterly exhausted, being without food and freezing. The Japanese captured Liushoushan or Ox Head Mountain, a celebrated summer resort nine miles south of Nanking, and also occupied Tangtsun, ten miles south of Nanking. A naval bombardment of Nanking is. expected. A Japanese flotilla of destroyers broke the Yangtse boom of Kiangyin and is at present attempting to break a second boom at Chingkiang. The Japanese have warned foreign ships to keep away. If the warships break the second boom it will cut off the last avenue of escape from Nanking. ‘ The Japanese have captured Thiatien, three miles from Wuhuf, which is expected to fall to-day. PEACE PROCEDURE.

JAPANESE STATEMENT. TOKIO, Thursday. "The only peace procedure acceptable to Japan is an approach from China, upon which Japan will state her terms. All that any third party can do to expedite peace is to persuade Nanking to enter into direct negotiations with Tokio,” declared the Foreign Office spokesman, who admitted that Germany was trying to persuade Nanking along this line, adding: "I do not know whether such action is concerted or individual, but it is only natural that England, Germany, Italy and others with large interests in the Ear East should be active in persuading China to sue for peace and we are awaiting results.” ULTIMATUM TO NANKING. a EXPIRES AT NOON TO-DAY. (Received Friday, 10.10 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Thursday. General Matsui’s latest ultimatum to Nanking expires at noon to-morrow. ASSAULT AGAINST NANKING. MANY ATTACKS REPELLED. HEAVY JAPANESE LOSSES. (Received Friday, 11.10 a.m.) NANKING, Thursday. The Chinese are throwing a new boom across the Yangtse Kiang near Kiukiang. The Japanees launched attack after attack against the Nanking walls. All were stubbornly crushed back. When night fell over the city the countryside was spurting flame. The gallant defenders looked down on heaps of Japanese dead. Hundreds of wounded are crawling from the walls into Nanking, pleading for succour, which is not available. ' Chinese, armed with petrol bombs, are continuing to destroy buildings likely to afford cover to the enemy. The occupants look on hopelessly as their homes are given up to fire.