JAPAN’S THREAT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20744, 2 March 1939, Page 7

JAPAN’S THREAT

TENSION AT TIENTSIN CONCESSIONS ISOLATED CRISIS EXPECTED SOON : United Pre3S Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received March 2, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 1 The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says the Japanese are exerting increased pressure on the British and French Concessions at Tientsin and It Is feared they will force the issue soon. In addition to the barricades being built around the Concessions the Japanese have begun to build their own bridge across the river, thus being able to Isolate the Concessions at a moment’s notice. It is reliably stated that orders have been drawn up for the final evacuation of the remaining Japanese. CHINA’S DETERMINATION DARKEBT HOUR PABSED 2,400,000 MEN IN TRAINING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgnt, LONDON, March 1 The Chinese Ambassador, Mr Quo Tai-chi, speaking in Liverpool, said China's darkest hour had passed, although she needed all the help that finance and diplomacy could give. She would fight for her freedom to the bitter end. China hud now 2,400,000 men in training, of whom one-third would be employed among the Japanese in the occupied areas, one-third in positional warfare, and one-third in intensified guerilla warfare. Mr Quo added that the Japanese were carrying on the drug traffic among children in the occupied areas. The new Japanese offensive in Hupeh, beyond Hankow, is within 20 miles of the Chinese war base at Tsaoyang. HEAVY FIGHTING ADVANCE OF THE JAPANEBE SEVERAL TOWNS OCCUPIED (United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 2, 11.30 a.m.) CHUNGKING, March 1 Heavy fighting is in progress north of Kiangsu. The Japanese are advancing, and already have occupied several towns. The Chinese report that they cleared the Japanese from the mountains in south-western Shansi. Guerilla bands have become increasingly active on the north hank of the Yangtse river below Hankow, in the Japanese rear, because of the transference of large Japanese reinforcements above Hankow preparatory to attacking Shansi. The Japanese have already overrun an extensive area beyond Hankow. JAPANESE IN SINGAPORE ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPPRESSION STRONG PROTEST TO BRITAIN (United Press asjd. —Eiec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 2, 11 a.m.) TOKIO, March 1 The vice-Foreign Minister, Mr Sawada, has protested strongly to the British Ambassadors against the “illegal oppression” of Japanese subjects in Singapore.