EAST CHINA FRONT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 11, 8 October 1943, Page 5

EAST CHINA FRONT

Japanese Being Slowly Pushed Back

(Received October 7, 10.5 p.m.) CHUNGKING, October 7. Heavy fighting continues on the east China front, says a Chinese communique. Chinese forces are slowly pushing buck the Japanese troops, who are looting the rich countryside between Hangchow and Nanking. Chinese guerrillas began an offensive which has already achieved substantial results. Four Japanese divisions are moving into China from Manchuria, said a Chinese army spokesman yesterday. . The Japanese along the ITsuancheng-Ningkuo line, south of Nanking, have begun a general retreat, after suffering considerable casualties in a night-long battle. MOVE FOR INDEPENDENCE OF PHILIPPINES

WASHINGTON, October 6.

President Roosevelt has sent a message to Congress asking for authority to proclaim the legal independence of the Philippines as a separate self-governing nation as soon as it is feasible, and to provide for its physical and. economic rehabilitatloUnder the existing law, the Philippines will automatically become independent on July 4, 1946, but Mr. Roosevelt said it was possible that the fortunes of war would permit an earlier consummation of the joint will of the Filipino and American peoples. ,■, ~ Tokio official radio reported the creation of provincial municipal councils in Malaya entirely composed of Malayans. The measure' is described as a further step toward the administrative independence of Malaya. Tokio official radio stated on Tuesday that the Japanese plans for the independence' of the Philippines were proceeding smoothly and speedily. Senor Jose Laurel, the President-elect, and other members of the Free Philippines Government which was to be created were visiting Tokio for conferences.