FIGHT FOR CANTON

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 10

FIGHT FOR CANTON

BATTLE PROGRESSING OFFENSIVE SLOWING DOWN JAPANESE RECAPTURE TOWN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 20, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 19 The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Japanese reinforcements have landed from transports in Pearl River and aFe pouring into Canton, in an endeavour to break the Chinese encirclement of the city. A fiierce battle is in progress southwest of Tsengshing, each side claiming success.

The Japanese have succeeded in halting the Chinese drive east of Canton, hut have not yet driven a wedge into the Chinese lines, which now extend from the mouth of the East River and round Canton northward.

Chinese planes raided the invaders’ air base in the vicinity of the White Cloud Mountain, and claim to have inflicted considerable damage. In the meantime the Chinese offensive on all fronts appears to be slowing down with the arrival of Japanese reinforcements.

The Hongkong correspondent of The Times says that according to an unofficial Chinese report the Japanese have recaptured Tsengshing, which the Chinese abandoned in face of superior force.

TOKTO, April 19

A Japanese despatch claims that 2000 Chinese were killed in an engagement intLeKwantung province.

TENSION IN EUROPE

HELP OF CHINA KEEPING JAPAN MORASSED EFFECT ON BERLIN-ROME AXIS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 20, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 19 The Chinese Ambassador said he was satisfied with Mr Roosevelt’s inclusion of the statement regarding the axis on April 15. He added that China was fighting her own fight aione and keeping the Asiatic partner of the Bcrlin-Rome-Tokio axis niorassed. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE EFFECT OF UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 20, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 19 The gilt-edged market is subject to continued selling and declined almost a point, due to the uncertainty of the outlook for interest rates. The imminence of the Budget is a restraining factor in other sections of the market.

SWEDEN AND FINLAND

PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK (United Press Ass-».- -Elec. Tel. Copyright) HELSINGFORS, April 18

The Finnish Defence Minister states that intimate collaboration exists between Sweden and Finland regarding defence in the event of attack. STOCKHOLM. April 19

. The whole of the 1935 conscripts and the 1934 air defence personnel have been called up. This has increased the armed forces bv 14,000.