ATTACK ON HANKOW

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 2

ATTACK ON HANKOW

3.45 P.M. EDITION

CHINESE RESISTING. HEAVY BOMBARDMENT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received August 12. 12.40 pan. LONDON, Aug. 11. The British United Press Pekin correspondent states that thousands of Japanese troops and enormous convoys of war material, tahks, artillery and machine-guns have left Pekin for Changping, near Hankow, where Chinese entrenching movements occurred in heat so intense that some Japanese were driven mad.

Another source states that the Japanese, on attacking Hankow met a strong resistance, to which they replied with a bombardment of high explosive and incendiary shells, as a result of which the town was set on fire. The Japanese advanced on it and occupied positions in the immediate vicinity. The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says: “Four thousand marines have landed from the 'Japanese fleet, bringing the total here to 9000. The Japanese admiral demands that all Chinese troons be withdrawn 30 miles from Shanghai and all defences within the area dismantled, otherwise the citv will be bombarded.”

NEAR PEKIN. JAPANESE AND_CHLNESE MEET. Received August 12, 9.40 a.in. SHANGHAI, Aug. 11. Japanese troops encountered Central Government troops 25 miles northwest of Pekin ; a heavy Japanese bombardment is proceeding. Tientsin reports state that the Japanese have notified the autlioiitics that they are taking over the telegraph and wireless installations in the British and French concessions. A Changping message states that the Japanese offensive against Hankow is expected to open shortly. Thousands of troops and enormous convoys of war material are proceeding thither.

CRISIS APPROACHING

CHINESE INDECISION

Received August 12, 12.10 p.m. LONDON, Aug. II

It is revealed from Shanghai that the Japanese have an aircraft-carrier with GO ’planes within 20 to 40 miles of Woosung, which fact they have tried to keep secret. The Daily Telegraph’s Shanghai correspondent points out that the crisis is approaching during the indecision of General Chiang Ivai-shek and other Chinese loaders, who are conferring at Nanking. It only needs one shot from Woosung to precipitate an outbreak worse than that of 1932.

DEMAND REJECTED

CHINA READY EOlt TROUBLE. Received August 12. 12.55 p.m. LONDON. Aug. 11. The British United Press correspondent at Shanghai says that China lias rejected the Japanese demand that the Chinese withdraw their forces from Shanghai. A Foreign Office official at Nanking said that if the Japanese start trouble the Chinese will -reply.

DEATH OF LIEUTENANT

JAPANESE ALLEGATIONS

Received August 12. 12.20 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 11

The Japanese Embassy in London states that the body of Lieutenant Olivama bore 18 bullet wounds and sword gashes • he also had been clubbed, and his skull was smashed. The driver or tile car, Saito, was shot dead ill the back of the head, clubbed, bayonetted and robbed.