S. China Prepares for War

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 73, 18 December 1937, Page 5

S. China Prepares for War

INVASION EXPECTED

Japanese Leave Shanghai for Unknown Destination MOPPING-UP AT NANKING i — (By Telegraph — Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Eeceived 18, 9.25 a.m.) HANKOW, Dec. 17. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has ordered the Kwangtung military authorities to prepare for war in view of the antieipated invasion of South China, hui experts believe that such an attack is not yet likely, as Japan is not at present able to despatoh the necessary 50,000 men. Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, however, states that Japan is not yet satisfied with her military successes. This seems to indicate further early offensives. Planes dropped leaflets at Nanchang, capital of the Kiangsi province, thTeatening to wipe out the city, from where the populace is fleeing panic-stricken. The Hongkong correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph says that fhousands of Japanese have embarked on transports from Shanghai for an undisclosed destination but possibly foi South China, there being evidence of an attack on the Kwantung province, adjoining Hongkong. A strong fleet of cruisers and destroyers passed Hongkong to the westward. The Japanese continue their mopping up operations at Nanking because, though 15,000 Chinese have been taken prisoner, 25,000 soldiers disguised as civilians are believed to remain in the capital. Three depleted Chinese divisions which were cut off from tKe main body of Nanking defenders crossed the Yangtse river, fought their way through the Japanese lines and reached Kwangteh further depleted. . General Matsui, accompanied by Prince Asaki and Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, made a triumphal entry into Nanking this afternoon after reviewing troops lining the Toute. Thousands of troops and 200 planes took part in the pageant. The Chinese are stubbornly resisting Japanese who have crossed the Yangtse between Nanking and Wuhu.