INVASION OF CHINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1939, Page 5

INVASION OF CHINA

HEAVY FIGHTING ON FOUR FRONTS COASTAL CITIES BOMBED. PEACE OFFENSIVE ALSO INTENSIFIED. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, September 24. The Japanese claim to have advanced down the Canton-Hankow railway within 50 miles of Changsha, the attack on which from Nanchang is being continued, states a message from Shanghai. . Heavy lighting and aerial activity are reported over 200 miles on the east and west fronts and 100 miles on north and south fronts. Simultaneously, the Japanese peace offensive has been intensified through propaganda supporting the new Government under Mr Wang Ching-wei. A Changsha report states that the Chinese claim they have prevented the Japanese air, land and naval attacks from developing into a large-scale offensive from the Yangtze. They declare that a Japanese attempt to land troops 60 rmles north of Changsha under a bombardment by gunboats was repulsed with the destruction of 30 of the landing boats and many of the occupants. . The Chinese report from Chungking that Japanese planes raided the coastline of Fukien Province, south of Foochow,'and bombed Fuching. Pingtien, Putien, and Changio. FIRE EXCHANGED BRITISH AND JAPANESE PATROLS. INCIDENT AT TIENTSIN. TIENTSIN, September 24. British and Japanese troops exchanged fire at 3.30 a.m. today on the border of the British Concession after the Japanese had fired on three sampans attempting to run the blockade in order to avoid being trapped in the re- , ceding floodwaters. A British patrol rushed to the concession boundary when they heard the firing.' A Japanese bullet passed over the heads of the British, who fired one round, whereupon the firing ceased. There were no casualties. DRIVE ON CHANGSHA HEAVY LOSSES REPORTED (Received This Day, 9 a.m.)/ SHANGHAI. September 25. Chinese and Japanese reports estimate that 20,000 soldiers were killed in the drive towards Changsha. The Japanese claim to have advanced with--25 miles of the city.