JAPANESE CLOSING IN RAPIDLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1938, Page 7

JAPANESE CLOSING IN RAPIDLY

Flying Columns Cutting Vital Railway CHINESE TRAINS IMMOBILISED By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, May 19. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” states that the Japanese report the capture of Changchuang, three miles and a half southwest of Suchow, and have also entered Suhsien. Air scouts report that flying columns are cutting the Lunghai railway at many points to the westward of Suchow. This has immobilised 90 Chinese trains, aggravating the difficulties of evacuation. The Chinese deny that the distinguished General Lt Tsung-Jen, commander of Suchow, is to be tried, as asserted by the Japanese, who said he had deserted his post by withdrawing his army of 400,000 men to. avoid the encirclement move. He is still commanding Suchow. The Hong Kong correspondent of “The Times” says that the Japanese have rounded up and shot 100 Chinese as a reprisal for the bomb thrown at Amoy Bund' which killed seven members of the Japanese patrol. PRISONERS CAPTURED. (Recd This Day, 9.25 a.m.) ' TOKIO, May 19. Three thousand Chinese surrendered at Suchow and 4000 at Suhsien, Kucheng and Wonuishan. AMERICANS IN CHINA. DEMAND FOR TRAVEL PERMITS. - . ; -w . (Recd This Day, 9.30 a.m.) . TOKIO, May 19. The United States Ambassador at Tokio has asked the Japanese Government why it refuses to let Americans in China return to cities from which they had been driven by the Japanese advance. Hundreds of Americans are concentrated at Shanghai and are unable to obtain transportation permits from the Japanese authorities.