TEST OPERATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 42, 18 January 1938, Page 7

TEST OPERATION

SOUTHERN INVASION. FIGHTING IN CHINA. TALK OF PEACE TERMS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received January 18, 8.5 a.m. HANKOW, Jan. 17. Japanese marines, under cover of a ■vyarship’s barrage have landed in Ivwantung Province, north of the Portuguese colony of Macao Island, and have occupied Tangihiawan. It is regarded as a test operation in view of the invasion of Southern China. Chinese reinforcements were rushed up, and' fighting is still in progress. The Chinese admit the loss of Tsining. • _ Official Chinese circles repeat that, despite the severance of diplomatic relations, the Government is willing to discuss reasonable peace terms, in which Chinese territorial and political integrity would be paramount. Another t Hankow message states that authoritive circles confirm that Germany has been busy trying to induce Japan to formulate peace terms sufficiently reasonable to ensure China’s aceptance of the concessions hitherto offered and vitiated by the state of virtual autonomy which Japan sought in the occupied areas. Marshal Chiang Kai-sliek’s presence on the Yellow River is interpreted to mean that the Chinese are ready to try their fortune in one more extensive campaign to further exhaust the Japanese resources. It is officially denied that any Chinese generals have been shot.