NOT BELIEVED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1939, Page 5

NOT BELIEVED

STORY OF AIR FIGHTING IN MONGOLIA SUPPOSED JAPANESE INVENTION. DIVERTING ATTENTION FROM CHINA. By Telegraph— Press Association— Copyright. HONG KONG, May 30. It is believed that the report cabled yesterday that Japanese airmen shot down planes from outer Mongolia cannot be accepted, even by the Japanese. It was officially intended to divert attention from the situation in China, which is more serious because of the mistakes made in boarding British and French ships. It is also understood that Tokio is concerned over the Chinese guerrilla activities, which are creating difficulties behind the lines, and also over the international tension at Kulangsu. *

The report received yesterday stated that the War Office at Tokio claimed Japanese planes had shot down 42 out of 100 machines from outer Mongolia, which were -flying over the border at Lake Buinor, and also drove back thousands of Mongol troops and mechanised units in the same vicinity. AT PRESENT QUIET MONGOLIAN BORDERLAND. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) TOKIO, May 30. The Japanese Cabinet discussed reports of fighting on the Outer Mongo-lian-Manchukuo border. The War Minister reported that the situation at present is quiet. WAR LOSSES JAPANESE ESTIMATES CHALLENGED. DEFEAT OF THE INVADERS IN NORTH HUPEH. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 30. The military authorities estimate the Japanese casualties from the beginning of hostilities at 870,000. They state that the Japanese estimates of Chinese casualties, issued yesterday, are ■. grossly exaggerated. The Japanese were forced to retreat 200 miles in the North Hupeh front, where they suffered 25,000 casualties

MURDER BY AIR FORTY CIVILIANS KILLED IN KWANTUNG. I NEW TYPE OF BOMB USED. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 30. The Hong Kong correspondent of “The Times” says the Japanese bombed Kwantung, killing forty civilians. A new type of bomb was used, exploding laterally and killing even eats anti chickens. MISUSE OF FLAGS ALLEGED BY JAPANESE. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, May 30. Japan has protested to the English and French authorities in Shanghai against alleged Chinese misuse of the English and French flags. Protests are also being made to the United States and Holland. AN ALLEGED PLAN ITALIANS AND SPANIARDS FOR CHINA. HELP FOR JAPANESE FORCES. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) SHANGHAI, May 30. The Italian and Japanese Embassies conferred regarding a plan to bring one division of Spaniards and 30,000 Italian veterans of the Spanish war to China io aid the Japanese, due to shortage of manpower.