A SILENT WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20741, 27 February 1939, Page 7

A SILENT WAR

WARNING BY JAPAN ANGLO=FRENCH ACTIVITY ALLEGED HELP FOR CHINA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 27, 1 p.m.) NANKING, Feb. 26 The Government, in explaining its 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 River as enemy, 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 asisting Marshal Ghiang Kai-Shek, a silent w’ar must be declared against the International Settlement, and vessels which are nothing but the base for operations.” LONDON. Feb. 26 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 added that the Nanking Government was independent and conditions on the Yangtse River were a matter of domestic policy. TIENTSIN, Feb. 26 The Japanese have erected barricades and encircled the British and French concessions with live wires, enabling the sudden closing of exists and entrances. NEW DRIVE BY JAPANESE CHINESE CLAIM VICTORY TOWNS TO BE EVACUATED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) (Received Feb. 27, 11 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 The Japanese have launched a new drive 50 miles west of Hankow'. CHUNGKING, Feb. 26 The Chinese claim a sweeping victory at Changyinchi. in Eastern Honan, killing 1000 Japanese and routing the remainder. The Chinese Government has ordered the evacuation of Chungking, Chengtu and Weiyang. PREVENTION OF TERRORISM THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT SURROUNDED 'BY JAPANESE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) (Received Feb. 27, 11.10 a.m.) TOKIO, Feb. 26 The Domei News Agency reports that the Nanking Government has sent troops and militiamen to surround the International Settlement,” as a precautionary measure against further terroristic demonstrations.” Meanwhile the Japanese authorities at Shanghai are meeting to-day “ to fix final steps for coping with the situation.”