LIFE OR DEATH.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20267, 9 August 1937, Page 9

LIFE OR DEATH.

VICTORY PREDICTED. 450,000,000 PEOPLE AVAILABLE. CHINESE GENERAL’S OPINION. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 9, 11 a.m.) NANKING, August 8. The Chinese Christian General, Feng Yuh-Blang, broadcasting, predicted vlotory. ‘‘lf Japan mobilises 28 divisions China Is ready to mobilise 450,000,000 people,” he said. “Unless the Japanese Imperialists unconditionally return the occupied torritory, China will have no alternative but to embark on a life or death. struggle.” A BTATE OF EMERGENCY. TROOPS CONVERGE ON PEKINOk RAILWAY CENTRE RECAPTURED. TOKIO, August 6. The fear is expressed that 10,000 Chinese are advancing on Hankow to attack ttie Japanese Concession, where a state of emergency has been proclaimed. Japanese marines landed, and barricaded and wired the concession. Foreigners have been warned to leave Immediately. PEKING, August 6. The Japanese military authorities declare that the Chinese are threatening the Peking-Suiyan railway, making the situation worse. It is estimated "that nearly 45,000 are converging on the Peking-Tlentsln area, and the advance troops are within sight of Peking. It is reported that the Chinese, attacking in torrential rain, surprised the Japanese and recaptured Liaa Changhsien, an important railway centre. OONCEBBION EVAOUATED. JAPANESE FLAG DOWN. CHINESE TAKE OVER. United Press As.-n.-~Elec. Tel. Coprrlrhfc (Received Aug. 9, li a.m.) HANKOW, Aug. 8. The Japanese have evacuated the concession, hauling down the flag and removing the defences. The Chinese civil authorities have taken over the administration. CLAIMS BY NANKING. HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT. BOTH SIDES NEED SOMETHING. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrtgM. LONDON, August 7. The Tokio correspondent of th# Daily Telegraph states that the Foreign Minister, Mr Hirota, speaking in the Diet, said Japan must deal sympathetically with Nanking's claims in any settlement in North China. This statement has aroused great Interest. Mr Hirota also said: "Not all the Chinese entertain anti-Japan-ese sentiments. If the Communists* activity in China could be curbed & peaceful settlement would be still possible. China needs something from Japan and Japan needs something from China. Armed action will not solvo the problem.” The Japanese House of Peers has passed the supplementary' estimate of £24.000,000 for expenditure on the North China expedition. RETURNING TO JAPAN. PRINCE AND PRINCESS CHICHIBU. EUROPEAN TOUR SHORTENED. Ln.tea press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received August 9, 11 a.m.) TOKIO, August 8. Prince and Princess Chichibu are cancelling the remainder of their European engagements and are returning to Japan, in view of the situation in China. HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH. MILITARY OPERATIONS HALTED, United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. PEKING. August 7. Rain has halted the military movements In North China. The Japanese oontrol strategic points on the railways north, east and west of the city.