LINGYI BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 7

LINGYI BATTLE

HEAVY FIGHTING WITHIN CITY WALLS CHINESE DEVELOPING FLANK ATTACK RESUMPTION OF MOUNTAIN OFFENSIVE By Telegraph. —Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, April 21.

The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says -that, despite the Japanese claim of the capture of Lingyi. the Chinese report desperate bayonet fighting within the city walls to prevent Japanese who entered breaches in the walls, increasing their foothold. A Chinese column is advancing to attack the right flank of Japanese reinforcements who are hurrying to the city. The Chinese admit a retirement from Hanchwang following a heavy Japanese counter-attack. The Chinese have resumed their offensive north of Taierchwang and have occupied two mountain positions guarding the southern entrance to Yihsien, and also claim to have surrounded several thousand Japanese south of Yihsien and to have killed 1500 Japanese at Wuhsiang. SERIES OF DENIALS STATEMENT BY JAPANESE PREMIER NO WAR DEADLOCK NOR SPLIT IN CABINET (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) TOKIO, April 21. The Premier (Prince Konoye) said that although the situation in China seemed to be a deadlock, the reverse actually was the case. Japanese tactics were being worked out most cautiously. Japan was. not considering a fresh approach to Britain, but thought that the changed situation might induce Britain to revise her attitude. He denied that the situation had created a split in the Cabinet.