Part of Nanking Ablaze

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 63, 7 December 1937, Page 5

Part of Nanking Ablaze

- Press Assn. — Copyright.)

FALL IMMINENT

Chinese May Follow Russian Example of 1812 DEFENDERS RETREAT

(B» Teleeraph-

(Eeceived 7, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 6. Tie Tokio eorrespondent of Tie Times says: "An evening broadcast, which is witiout conlirmatxon, suggested tiat Nanking lnay einulate tie example of Moscow in 1812, inasxnucli as part of tie capxtal, from which tie Japanese are four miles distant, is on fire. Tiere are signs tiat tie defenders are beginnixig to retreat across tie Y angtse-kiang. "All news irom Japanese sources assuxnes tie city's lmxninent fall, inasxnuci as General Pang, tie detending commander, is moving iis tro.ops across tie river, ostensibly to consolidate tie defences tiere. Tiousands of refugees are waiting at tie gategi unaile to escape owing to tie transfer of tie soldiery, but signs of the submissxon which tie Japaxxese demand are still absent. "Tie Press betrays perplexity regarding Japan' s action if Nanking falls and Marsixal Ciiang Kai-siek remains defxant. It can only propose doubtful sciemes. "In view of the fact tiat t..e Japanese w.ould face a stubborn army prepared to put back to a series of walls deeper inland, a Japanese declaration of war is considered unlikely, because it would immediately invoke tie American Neutrality Act. Oontinuance of the Chinese resistance depends on munitfons from airoad "

Nine aeroplanes heavily bombed the military airlield and the railway approacies to Nanking. The Ming Palace aerodrome, within tie city walls, was destroyed. A petrol store and six iouses were blown up. Tie weather is freezing, and food and clothing short. One hundred armed police are patrolling tie safety zone, wiici tie Ciinese are» demilitarising. An international committee is en deavouring to arrange a safety zone at Wuhu, wiiei haa a population of 170,000. Ru Hsi-wen, a citizen of Fukien, wio wr.s educatad in Japan, has issued a manifesto proclaiming iimself Mavoi of "autonomous" Great Shangiai, enibracing the ayea of 193 square miles formerly administered by tie Ciinese Mayor, Mr Yui, who ias gone to Hankow. The manifesto thanks tie Japanese Army for rescuing Sianghai, and promises full co-operation.

Defying fierce gunlire, the crew of r. Jajanese destroyer crossed tie Kiangyjn boonx across tlie Yangtse-kiang, and boarued and captured tie prize of tie Ciinese Navy, tie cruiser Ning Hai, wiich was aground near Paweilcang. A mass meeting of Japanese, incens ed ly the action of the Englisi lawyer, Mr E. T. Maitland, :n destroying tie Japanese flag during tie victory parade, resolvefl to assume a- determinea stand and take all measures to arrange considertion of tie incident by tie Britisi Government and people, and impress on tiem tie outrageous and un(Jondonjible nature of tie affair. The ^ixitisi United Press urderstands that tio Japanese autiorities have complied witi a request to demand adequate action from tie Britisi authorities.