THREAT TO CANTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1938, Page 7

THREAT TO CANTON

JAPANESE LAND LARGE FORCE ON MAINLAND OPPOSITE HONG KONG. ATTEMPT TO CUT OFF SUPPLIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. HONG KONG, October 12. A large number of Japanese troops, from 30 transports, are reported to have landed at Hachung and Bias Bay. A joint Japanese army and navy communique confirms that the landing was affected “somewhere” in south China early today. Two companies of the Middlesex Regiment have been ordered to the border to assist the police in keeping order owing to a possible influx of Chinese refugees. The landing is reported to have been effected at 4.30 a.m., local time, after the shelling of the shore and the islands in the vicinity. It is believed that the aim of the Japanese is to cut the Kowloon-Canton railway and dominate the Canton River mouth in order to cut off supplies from Canton. A Japanese invasion of south China was officially announced in Tokio this morning. The Japanese Consul at Hong Kong said that foreign interests in south China would be protected. The object of the invasion was to force General Chiang Kai-shek’s speedy downfall. Reuter’s correspondent at Hong Kong says that the Japanese landing force is estimated to number 30.000 men. BRITISH NOTE REMINDER TO JAPAN. PROTECTION OF INTERESTS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. The Associated Press says: Dis- ■ turbed by the magnitude of the new Japanese offensive in South China, Britain has sent a further note to Tokio through the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie. It is understood that Japan is reminded that Anglo-Japanese relations would be jeopardised in the. .event of any threat to the big British’ interests in Hong Kong and elsewhere in South China. ■’ Acting on the advice of the British Consul, thirty women and children have left Canton for Hong Kong. AT BIAS BAY SURFACE OF BEACH BLACK WITH TROOPS. DRIVE INLAND STARTED. LONDON, October 12. The special correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” after a flight over Bias Bay at dawn, reported that the surface of the beach was black with moving figures taking part in the Japanese landing. One hundred and twenty vessels, including capital ships, aircraft carriers, destroyers, transports and barges were disgorging soldiers. The invaders were barely 30 miles from the Hong Kong borders. The East Surrey Regiment has been ordered from Singapore to reinforce the Hong Kong garrison. A message from Tokio says that the Chinese were surprised by a sudden attack and offered little resistance. A Japanese communique reports that the landing was completed in two hours with small losses. The troops are now driving inland.