Battle of Gates is Raging

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 68, 13 December 1937, Page 7

Battle of Gates is Raging

-Presa Assn.-

attack on nanking Planes and Artillery Attempt to Breach Walls STRONG RESISTANCE

(Bj T«Ieer»ph-

Copyrisht..'

(Eeceived 13 12.50 a.m.) ' TOKIO, Dec. 12. Nanking 5s Battle of the Gates rages without respite. The Japanese do not claim important progress despite their employment of bombing planes and artillery in an offort to breach the south and east walls. A measure of success attends the Chinese resistance, as indicated by the Tetirement of the Japanese, ostensibly to afford a clear field for gunfire from elsewhere thap. the Chunghwa gate, which they still hold. A message received at Shanghai states that Nanking 's telephones, water supply and electricity have been cut off. ' ' The Japanese have occupied the Chunghwa gate. The Chinese commander at Nanking has sent a message to Hankow saying that the Chinese troops were surrounded and annihilated by the Japanese who forced the Kwanghua gate.

The Daily Telegraph's Shanghhi correspondent earlier reported that in the face of stubborn opposition the Japanese were advancing towards the centre of Nanking supported by machine-guns and field guns mounted on the southeastera wall. The Japanese were wearing gas masks, alleging that the Chinese were firing gas shells. A Shanghai message states that, while decorated Tokio waits to cele-

brate its "Mafeking night", the Chinese are making a last gallant effort to stem th'e Japanese tida sweeping over Nanking 's walls. Because of unfamiliarity with the city streets, the Japanese forces suspend operations late at night, when the Chinese launch desperate counter-attacks resulting in bitter hand-to-hand fighting. Nanking will tiecome a city of horror unless the Chinese surrender. It is likely they will have to ilght to the death because the Japanese announce complete mastery in the Wuhu area, thus making xetreat most difficult. There is little doubt that the Japanese will shortly engulf Nanking, but not much reliance can be placed on the constant bulletins from the interior that the "Rising Sun5.5 dominates the entire city. Since the shooting of the Japanese sentry the Japanese have taken over the control of Nantao, the neutral refugee zone south of the French Concession at Shanghai. This ousts the International Committee from its authority. Admiral Little has gone to Hongkong in H.M.S. Falmouth. British residents are most perturbed over the Japanese prying into thei'r shops in Nanking road. No protection was offered by the civil or military police when the Japanese entered tho shops. British residents are also incensed over the seizure of the harbour launches. The Times Nanking correspondent says that, although fierce fire is being exchaaged from the walls, the almost continual series of attacks is confined to Chinese troop concentrations. The civilian casualties are small, but gunfire, bombing and smoke from burn* ing villages outside the walls, which are ringed with fire, have quickened tb.e influx of refugees to the safety zonoa where thousands are still without shelter. The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent says Cabinet is reported to have decided to withdraw diplomatic recognition from the present Chinese Government and to pursue long-term fighting against the forces of Marshal Cbiang Kai-shek and aid the reconstruction of another China. This can only mean the creatiog of a Goverument replacing Chiang Kai-shek5s and which would be amenable to Japan.