A reliable source, meanwhile, informs Reuter that the concentration of between 40 and £0 Japanese trans-Ports seen off Swatow yesterday is now heading for the Pearl River delta.
It is believed that the Japanese will endeavour to land at Namtau, northwest of Hongkong, and finally join forces with their comrades from Bin Bay and cut the railway line north of Shumechun, where the occupation of a narrow strip of territory, with the sea on both sides, will render easier the complete domination of communications with Canton.
To a barrage of questions thir morning by Reuter regarding reports of fighting in the Tamshul district, Japanese claims that 2,000 Chinese troops were wiped out, and foreign reports that the Chinese air force wae now active in South China, the spokesman of the Kwangtung Provincial Government could reply only: "We have no information."
Reports of the arrival of Chinese air force units seems confirmed by a telephonic message received by Revler from a foreigner living on the outskirts of Canton, who stated early thit morning that he witnessed several cox Aghts between Chinese and Jupanese planes.
The air alarm was sounded in Canton' at 6.15 this morning in the middle of a thunderstorm, and severa! bombers were sighted' over the suburbs shortly afterwards, but thes dropped no bombs over the Canton area, reported that the Provincial and" Municipal Government headquarters are being removed to Yuns yuen, though the official spokesman refuses to confirm or deny the rumour.
Preparations, however, are being made to evacuate Chinese women and children as soon as possible, and arrangements are already on foot to transport, tree of charge, 400,000 Inhabitants' to inland points.
Notices have appeared on the streets of Canton urging the populace to maintain calm and to take advantage of the evacuation facilities,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.