PANIC STRICKEN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 111, 2 January 1932, Page 5

PANIC STRICKEN

(Press. Assn.-

CHINESE POPULATION OF KAOPANG-TZE FEAR JAPANESE OCCUPATION IMMINENT

— By Telegraph— Copyright).

PEKING, Thursday. The withdrawal of the Manchurian. forces from the Chinchow area is in full swing. The Chinese troops in the threatened section are estimated at 17,000, of. whom 6,000 are believed to be remaining- to protect the provinvial government. Kaopang-tze has become panie stricken as the Japanese force is aclvancing to-day up the branch railway from Yingkow. They renewed the attack on the Chinese position. Japanese occupation of the city is believed to be imminent.' The Japanese military operations to-day consisted chiefly of conSolidating the positions^gained yesterday, while the Chinese have prepared to retreat. . . The Chinese are reported to he using armoured tanks, trains, cavalry, and infantry, but are'lacking in heavy artillery, which the Japanese are largely employing, supported hy aeroplanes. The Chinese military evacuation of Chinchow, is already proceeding. The appointment of Mr. Eugene Chen, China's firebrand diplomat who held office in 1927, to the new Cabinet is confirmed. He is expected to assume office on January 1.