FRESH ACTIVITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20057, 2 October 1939, Page 6

FRESH ACTIVITY

FAR EAST CONFLICT STRUGGLE FOR CHANGSHA SURPRISE CHINESE MOVE OFFENSIVE IN SOUTH (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 2, 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 1. The Chungking correspondent of the New York Times says that the Japanese advanced on a semi-circular front within 20 miles of Changsha. According to Hunan dispatches, the Chinese are strongly resisting. Japanese airmen bombed numerous small cities south-west of Hupei at night. Chungking was 'in a state of alarm for hours, but was not bombed. Evidently preparing the public , for the loss of Changsha, the military spokesman emphasised that the city was of no importance strategically. He asserted that China’s policy was not to attempt to prevent the Japanese occupation of any particular point, nor to engage in positional warfare. On the other hand, the Chinese intended inflicting the utmost losses on the enemy, whose four divisions attacking Changsha already had suffered heavily. Japanese Endeavour The spokesman pointed out that the Japanese apparently were trying to establish a front line at Changsha through Changteh to Ichang. Hong Kong reports state that, using large numbers of planes and heavy artillery, Chinese regulars of the Fourth Route Army launched a severe surprise attack 'before dawn to-day on the Japanese outside Hong Kong. Fighting continued for 12 hours 300yds from the British border.

Chinese observers of the fighting claim that the Chinese captured the border village of Shatoukok. Five thousand men are Ibesieging Shumchaum, which is held toy 1500 Japanese. Three thousand others stormed the Japanese positions outside Namtau. It is claimed that the Chinese line extends for 30 miles outside of Hong Kong. The Japanese have been driven into defensive positions and their forces already are divided. Chinese army headquarters also announce the capture of the eastern section of the Japanese positions along the Hong Kong mainland border after fighting following the Chinese surprise attack.