CHINESE SETBACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1938, Page 6

CHINESE SETBACK

IMPORTANT RAILWAY TOWN TAKEN BY JAPANESE KEY POSITION IN 'SHANSI PROVINCE. “RED ROUTE" MENACED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. (Recd This Day, 12.25 p.m.) TOKIO, August 19. A Japanese' communique reports the capture of Puchow, the southern terminus of the Shansi railway, facing Tungkwan, the key city of the Lung Hai Railway, across the Yellow River. The Chinese are reported to have left 1,500 dead. It is claimed that this capture means the collapse of Chinese attempts to retake the Shansi Province. Tungkwan is described as an outpost cf Sian, the capital of Shensi, and the junction of the “Red route,” along which supplies are being sent to China from Russia. The Japanese have launched largescale operations in the Shantung area, with the object of clearing out 42,000 guerrillas.

LOSS ADMITTED COUNTER ATTACK PROPOSED. GAINS IN OTHER AREAS. (Recd This Day. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, August 19. A Hankow message states that the Chinese, admitting the loss of Puchow, state that their troops in Southern Shansi are being reinforced and it is expected that they will make a counter-attack against Puchow, which is of strategic importance. The Japanese are heavily shelling the west bank of the Yellow River in an attempt to prevent Chinese concentrations. It is admitted that the Japanese are now in a favourable position to invade either Shensi or Honan, but the Chinese are doing their utmost to block both avenues. The Chinese broke the Japanese lines at Shaho, on the southern front, reached the outskirts of Kiukiang and captured several peaks' north of Shaho, which were abandoned in the face of poison gas, but the Chinese are holding Shaho.

SOVIET SUPPORT CONFIDENT DECLARATION. RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR INEVITABLE. (Recd This Day, 1.30 p.m.) HONG KONG, August 19. Mr Sun Fo, President of the Legislative Yuan, China’s Parliament, on his return from Moscow, said: “Very active support for China is forthcoming from Russia. Moscow will not stand by idle and see China fight alone. Because of repeated provocation from Tokio, war between Russia and Japan is inevitable. A settlement of the Changkufeng affair will not deflect Moscow’s policy in the slightest.” PORT SHELLED. SIXTY PERSONS KILLED. (Recd This Day, 1.30 p.m.) HONG KONG, August 15. In an effort to tighten the blockade on the south coast, Japanese warships shelled Chaoyang. Sixty persons were killed. The Japanese hope to cut off Hankow’s supplies and end the deadlock on the Yangtse.