LIKE RATS IN TRAP

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20499, 16 May 1938, Page 7

LIKE RATS IN TRAP

CHINESE SURROUNDED BUCCESS OF THE JAPANESE BIG ANNIHILATING OPERATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 16, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 15 The Tokio correspondent of the Times says the Japanese, by cutting the Lunghai railway at three points, claim that they have caught tlie Chinese armies like rats in a trap. A dispatch states that the Japanese gradually are shortening their encircling lines, in order to develop one of the greatest annihilating operations of the war. Marshal Kiang Kai-shek’s line, which took seven years to construct, is allegedly collapsing, and the Chinese defending Heuchow have been thrown into inextricable confusion. Air squadrons are bombing the fugitives and have destroyed a telegraph and telephone office at Hsuchow.

Reports from Taiyuanfu state that 20,000 Chinese volunteers fighting for the Japanese have crossed from Shansi into Shensi and occupied Suanrhwan, where they were joined hv portions of the mutinous Shansi and Szechuan armies, who arc marching on Sianfu. THE FINAL DRIVE ACTIVITY OF JAPANEBE FORCES RETREAT OF THE CHINESE WILL SELL LIVES DEARLY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 16. 3 p.m.) LONDON, April 15 Tiie British United Press correspondent at Shanghai says that four Japanese armies, comprising 16 mechanised columns, are participating in the final drive on Hsuchow, fnom whence General Li Tsungjen, one of China’s best strategists, is reported to have fled by air, leaving half his army of 400,000 men, who he led Into Hsuchow last week. German advisers planned and supervised the Chinese retreat. The Chinese deny it is a rout, declaring that the most important equipment is being concentrated at Kaifeng, while 200,000 men remain at Hsuchow to sell their lives dearly in a rearguard action. Meanwhile the Japanese armies of North and South China have junctioned and form a single force, able to change its direction at will instead of fighting on separate fronts. CHINEBE COUNTER-ATTACK JAPANESE DRIVEN BACK MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright HANKOW, May 14 The Chinese counter-attacked and drove back the Japanese in the neighbourhood of Yungchen. LONDON, May 14 The Hongkong correspondent" of the Herald, says refugees allege that Japanese massacred 4000 Chinese civilians at Amoy. JAPANESE IN CHINA TOTAL OF 1,000,000 TROOPS NO PROSPECT OF MEDIATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) LONDON, May 14 It is believed that there are 1,000,000 Japanese troops in China, of whom 300,000 have been immobilised from the conflict because they are watching the Russian frontier. One Japanese soldier in China is costing five times as much as one at home, irrespective of the swelling burden of the transport of the munitions, foodstuffs, and raw materials. Nevertheless, there is nothing to indicate the likelihood of mediation. The Chinese finances are not overstrained. They pay casli on delivery for some munitions hut the Soviet is allowing them large quantities on long credits, thus encouraging the Chinese to fight the Japanese on their behalf. The Soviet also is supplying to China heavy transport aeroplanes and has established a chain of air bases enabling constant supplies to be obtained from inland. The Chinese nlstf are procuring aeroplanes from America and in addition munitions from Europe.