GATES BOMBARDED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 64, 8 December 1937, Page 5

GATES BOMBARDED

Prps* -

Creating a Breach for Infantry ALL-DAY ATTACKS

(By TeleeranH —

rnnvrisilit.)

(Received 8, 2.30 p.m.) NANKING, Dec. 7. Apparently large bodies of troops reinain in Nanking •with the choice of iurrender or dying flghting. The Japanese, while awaiting arrival of suffi- . eient troops to ensure holding the city after its captnre 'before finally launch* ing storming parties, niaintained aliday attacks on the last defensive lines, They found the opposition less than fexpected, indicating only rearguard a«tions. The main Japanese thrust will threaten the eastern face of the city, but a flanklng column has circuitecj Nanking in an effort to cut off the Chinese5 retreat via the Pukow-tientsin railwav. The latter force hopes to attack the northern gates simultaneously with the southern force assailing the v^estern gates, The British United Press corresponiient at Nanking reports that artiliery is already bombarding the north-wost ern gates in order to create a breaeii through which tanks and infantry nay pass. The Chinese still maiutain ferry sotVices across the Yangtse-Kiang from Nanking to Pukew on the main line of Jetreat. Other sourcea declare that the Japanese have already occupied the mountainous area east of the city. The invaders do not guarantee immunity" of safety zones, as they may harbour Chinese troops, but agree.not to attaclc undefeuded zones. The existing "safety zon-" is the fccene of an endless procession of sorrow. Many participants are starving and are without their possessions. The movement is no less tragie beeause sueh flights are now commonplace. The Chinese authorities have ordered the evacuation of all troops from the zone and the demolition of its defensive works. Pifteen foreigners are sponsoring a plan, including Englishmen, Prenchmen and Americans, to remain in the aTea as evidence of good faith. Their heroism may avert a holocaust.