ANXIETY IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 7

ANXIETY IN CHINA

Japanese Gain LINKING OF TWO ARMIES

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received May 12, 9.10 p.m.) CHUNGKING, May 12.

An atmosphere of unconcealed concern spread in China, today as reports told of yet another thrust toward Loyang. It is admitted 1 that the eeiimy has finally succeeded in gaining control of the full length of the railway between Peking and Hankow, which links the Japanese northern and central forces.

The Chinese claimed they have repulsed a Japanese attempt to force another crossing of the Yellow River near Alenghsien, about 25 miles north-east of Loyjng, but admitted that they are battling with Japanese troops which crossed the river near Yuanchu, and that a third enemy spearhead has pushed along the Lunghai railway to near Yenshih, only 21 miles east of Loyang. The present Japanese offensive is the largest since the successful push to Hankow in 1939. It has already carved out roughly 60,000 square miles of territory, including much rice—and wheatgrowing country, and has opened the possibility of a drive on the strategic town of Tuugkwan, ’west of Loyang. A few miles of the Hankow-Peking railway may still be in Chinese hands, but in any case the gap can no longer be held by the defenders. The Chinese troops cut off east of the railway are expected to fight on as guerrilla units. The Japanese will now have a direct overland route by road and railway be tween their northern and central armies, relieving some of the strain on their dwindling shipping resources. Talk with Communists. Representatives of the Chungking regime are conferring in Sian,- in Shensi Province, with members of the Communist border zone Government in the hope of Selling their differences, said the Information Minister, Mr. Liang Hanehao. He added that the Kuomintang central executive committee recently voted to settle all disputes between the two Governments by political means. General Stilwell’s communique reports that Chinese and American Warba wks on Monday strafed Yangtze shipping, including landing craft and gasoline supply barges. Other Warhawks strafed a locomotive and freight cars near Bacle, in Indo-China, and set fire to a large supply building.