CHINESE RETREAT

Grey River Argus, 15 September 1937, Page 5

CHINESE RETREAT

ON SHANGHAI FRONTS Out of Naval Range CHINESE IN GENERAL RETREAT, [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] TOKIO. September 13. A general Chinese retreat on the northern ami eastern fronts at Shanghai began tills morning, according to Japanese advices. The Japanese occupied dominating positions in the northern sector, and almost surrounded 50,060 Chinese in an area of 36 square kilometres, whereupon the Chinese, who were wavering after yesterday, began to retreat, apparently falling back Io the second twenty-mite line from Liuho to Nansiang on the Shanghai-Nanking railway, where they have one hundred thousand troops. SHANGHAI, September 13.

The Chinese spokesman, admitting the retreat from Woosung and Lotion, explained it was strategic, to escape the range of the Japanese warships. All was in accordance with the plan to harass Japanese landings and dislocate Japanese lines. The British United Press reports that the present retirement, is reported to have been counselled by the German military advisers. The withdrawal coincided with the biggest battle of the campaign, resulting in a ten-mile chain of conflagration from Yangsepoo. | THE NEW CHINESE LINE. i NANKING, September 13. The Chinese withdrew without loss in admirable order, to a new line of defence, after demolition of the first line, three miles distant, after five weeks’ intensive bomoardment. The new line runs almost direct from lhe north station to Litien, occupying semi-permanent defences, and affording improved communications, beyond the range of fire of the Japanese warships. The Chinese repulsed the Japanese marines who landed at Bias Bay. and wrecked several anti-piracy forts. Canton is rushing troops thither to prevent the Japanese creating an airport. BIAS BAY LANDING OF JAPANESE, HONGKONG. September J 3. It is reported that the Japanese landed at. Bias Bay with the object of severing Chinese supplies from Hongkong. JAPANESE OUT RACK. SHANGHAI, September 13. The Japanese occupied Tatung and Kwangling in the Province of Shansi. CHINESE CLAIMS, SHANGHAI, September [3. The Chinese claim that bombers hit live Japanese warships, setting lire to two cruisers.

The Chinese estimate that the Japanese losses thus far arc 3.000 Marines and 10,000 troops. It is unofficially estimated that t.ne Chinese have lost, from 20,000 to 30,000 killed and wounded. CHOLERA INCREASING. SHANGHAI, September 13. Cholera is spreading, the cases now. numbering 150 in the French, concession, and 79 in the International Settlement, 60 of which were fatal. Most of the victims were Chinese refugees. JAPANESE BOMB JUNKS. i SHANGHAI, September 13. Japanese casualties in the Paoshan secton number 200. The Japanese bombed a fleet of junks at Soochow Creek, sank three, and killed and wounded 400 refugees. RIGHT OF SEARCH. [British Official Wireless]. RUGBY, September 13. With a view to preventing abuse of the British Flag in Chinese waters, the Board of Trade has advised British ships bound for Chinese ports that in the absence of a British warship, they should heave to, if requested by a Japanese warship, and allow Japanese officers to examine their cer-, tificates of registry. The Japanese warship, for its part, is expected to’ report by wireless to the British Naval authorities. British merchantmen will also report to the British Naval authorities. These proceedings will be unnecessary, where a British warship is within call, to undertake the verification of papers. It is made clear in London that, in giving facilities for the verification of registry, in connection with the Japanese blockade of the China coast, the British Government is reserving all its rights.

BRITISH SHIPS WITHOUT CRtWS, lAus. & NZ. Cable Assn.l HONGKONG, September 13. The disinclination of Chinese crews on British ships to proceed to hostile waters, created a fear that the refusal will become general, crippling British trade. Several crews have quitted, expressing a desire to join the Chinese Army. CHINESE APPEALS. NANKING, September 13. The Chinese League of Nations Society cabled to Mr Lyons and the President of the Philippines, alleging that Japanese Naval activities in the South China Sea threaten Australia, the Philippines and Hongkong. GENEVA, September 13.

The memorandum accompanying the Chinese Note, alleges that the Japanese are bombing the Red Cross, attacking non-combatants, and are bent, on ruthless slaughter and wanton destruction. SINGAPORE BASE. AUCKLAND, September 1.4. “It is the works, all right,” said the Rev. Nigel Williams, of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore, referring to the great defence base in that city, lie arrived 10-day, by the steamer "Macstsuycker.” He is a New Zealander, and hopes to settle in the Dominion. “The constructional work of the base is almost complete, and a commencement. has been made with the appointment of the permanent personnel. The Naval authorities are sending out dockyard fitters and foremen, to train local Chinese. Singa-

pore is oul. to' maintain its importance. II is (he key to the Far East,” He added that Singapore felt the war in China, Io only a slight extent. The P. and O. Eastern Snanghai service had been stopped, but the Chinese people were showing very scant in-, (crest in the war. ATTACK ON AMBASSADOR. TOKIO, September 13. The Foreign Office spokesman stated the Japanese had made further inquiries into Ihe wounding of Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen, but had been unable to trace the source of the attack. lie added that a second Note to Britain is being prepared. Mr Howe, at present, 'in charge of the British Embassy, has apprised the Japanese of his intention to traverse the same route over which Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen was travelling, when wounded.