A “SILENT WAR”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 49, 28 February 1939, Page 7

A “SILENT WAR”

THREAT BY JAPANESE OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN CONCESSIONS ASSISTANCE TO KAI-SHEK ALLEGED [By Telegraph—Presa Association— Copyright] NANKING, Feb, 26. The Domei News ‘Agency reports that the Nanking Government sent troops and militiamen to surrounc the International Settlement 'as s precautionary measure against further terroristic demonstrations." Meanwhile the Japanese authorities at Shanghai are meeting to-day ’tc fix final steps for coping with the situation.” The Japanese have erected barricades encircling the British and French Concessions at Tientsin witn live wires, enabling a sudden closing of exits and entrances. The Government, explaining a decision to send militia to the outskirts of the International Settlement and the French Concession, issued the following statement: — "We hesitate to brand British and French vessels on the Yangtse as enemy craft, but naturally there will be limits to Japan’s gentlemanly attitude towards the International Settlement and the French Concession. If Britain and France do not change their attitude in assisting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, a silent war must be declared against the International Settlement and vessels which are nothing but a base for operations.” A London message says that an official of the Japanese Embassy in London described the reference to a silent war, which was quoted from the Domei Agency's report, as a possible exaggeration in translation, but he added that the Nanking Government was independent and conditions on the Yangtse River were a matter of domestic policy.

CHINESE WARNING

DECAPITATED HEADS IN JAPANESE SUBURB Received Feb. 28, 1 a.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 27. Three decapitated Chinese heads, one a woman’s, were found impaled on fence poles in the Japanese-con-trolled western suburbs. Chinese guerillas are reported to have declared that they carried out the executions and put up the heads as a warning against working for the Japanese.

ORDERS TO JAPANESE

AVOID CONFLICT WITH BRITISH Received Feb. 28, 1 a.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 27. The Japanese troops are reported to have been ordered to avoid conflict with the British soldiers in the International Settlement.

SWEEPING VICTORY

CLAIM BY CHINESE 1000 JAPANESE CASUALTIES CHUNGKING, Feb. 26. The Chinese claim a sweeping victory at Changyinchii, in eastern Honan, killing 1000 Japanese and routing the remainder. The Chinese Government has ordered the evacuation of Chungking, Chengtu and Kweiqang. A Shanghai message says that the Japanese have launched a new drive 5 miles west of Hankow.

REPULSED BY CHINESE

FIRST ATTACK ON RULING Received Feb. 27, 7.35 p.m. CHUNGKING, Feb. 27. The Japanese launched their longawaited attack on Ruling, within which remain 47 foreigners at the sanatorium. Several are bedridden, including an octogenarian Englishwoman.

Chinese guerilla troops repulsed the first attack.

NEW CHINESE ARMY

IMPROVING TRAINING METHODS Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. CHUNGKING, Feb. 26. Two hundred military leaders from all parts of China have secretly conferred for four days in order to improve the training methods of the new Chinese Army. The War Minister (General Ho Ying-chin) presided. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek also spoke.

JAPANESE CLAIM

FURTHER RAID ON LANCHOW AIR BASE Received Feb. 28, 1 a.m. PEIPING, Feb. 27. The Japanese, continuing their effort to wipe out the Chinese air base at Lan chow, are reported to have shot down, with the loss of three bombers, 56 of the 60 planes which rose to meet them.