THE FAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20510, 28 May 1938, Page 9

THE FAR EAST

SUCCESB OF CHINESE RECAPTURE OF A TOWN JAPAN'S HEAVY CASUALTIES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 28, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 27 The Chinese Foreign Ministry has informed the Chinese Embassy in London that Langfeng was recaptured after the Chinese had inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese. This frees tile Lunghai railway between Kaifeng and Kweiteh. The Japanese remnants are being pursued by the Chinese, who also are surrounding and attacking Japanese reinforcements at Kwantai.

NEW ZEALAND JOURNALIST MISSING FROM HSUCHOW A SEARCH BEING MADE United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 28. I p.m.) SHANGHAI, May 27. The Japanese authorities are searching for the New’ Zealand journalist, Miss Iris Wilkinson, who departed on donkey-back from Hsuchow to the north-eastern front, which is now overrun with Japanese troops retreating from Langfeng. She may possibly have taken refuge with missionaries, who are determined to remain at Hsuchow to safeguard Chinese refugees. MINISTER OF WAR RUMOURS OF RETIREMENT TRIUMPH FOR THE PREMIER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) TOKIO, May 27 There are persistent reports that General Sugiama has resigned the ar Ministry, thus reducing the militarists’ strength in the Cabinet to four. The reconstruction is regarded aA a triumph for Prince Konoye, Prime Minister. It implies that the Russian bogey has been relegated to the background to make possible more intense exploitation of China based on the unassailable hegemony of the Far East. The new Foreign Minister, General L’gaki, said: "I am going to do something to readjust our relations with foreign Powers, so wait and see.” Mr Ikeda's appointment as Minister of Finance foreshadows everything being sacrificed for the sake of winning the China war.

OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA SPREAD OF DISEASE FEARED THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 28. 11.30 a m.) SHANGHAI, May 27 Eight of 18 suspected Chinese cases have been continued as cholera. The outbreak is declared to be epidemic, and an extension is feared owing to hundreds of thousands of refugees living in insanitary conditions. Cholera also has broken out at Pootung, whither the. Japanese have dispatched a medical corps in the hope of preventing the spread of the disease to their own forces. The Shanghai clinics have inoculated 70,000 people. JAPANEBE NAVAL STRENGTH CONCENTRATION OFF CHUNGSHAN ATTACK ON CANTON LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 27 Chinese sources report that 27 Japanese warships are lying off Chungshan. on the Kwanctung coast, also many armed trawlers and other small craft capable of landing troops. The Chine?' are feverishly prepaiin- t * resist the e:p’‘ted invasion. Tn-' opinion is held that an attack «.n canton is impending. M,i> tial law has been drcla ed at Ciiun--sh:m and all non combatants nave been ordered to quit.

CHIEF-OF-STAFF RECALLED move by the war office united Free? A??n.— Elec. Tel. Copyrigni Received May 28, 11 a m. TOIvIO, May 2 7 The War Office has recalled Lieu-tenant-General Kidcki Tojo, Chief-of-£taff in Kwantung.