Hankow, Oct, 14
Reliable information available her: from Canton indicates that the Cantonese authorities have completed preparations for the defence of Canton in the event that the Japanese troops landed in Bias Bay attempt to pene trate further inland.
Observers believe that Japanese operations in South China will only ease the tension in Hankow, since, otherwise, the fresh troops now being landed on the Kwangtung Coast would have been used for the Hankow drive It is stated in Chinese circles that the Cantonese troops are fully capable of defending Kwangtung, without necessitating the dispatch of Central Government forces from Hankow to assist them.
If itis necessary, however, troops from Kwangsi, Yunnan, Kweichow and Hunan, are said tobe ready 10 move into Kwangtung at a moment's notice.
It 4s also stated that overseas Chinese, who are mostly Cantonese and extremely patriotic, have contributec! millions of dollars to China's war chest, and. will now give even mori with their native homes being threatened by the Japanese invasion.—Reuter, Meavy Fighting on "Blas Bay Front"
Hankow, Oct. 14
Fighting on the "Bias Bay Front is now proceeding at Futien, to the north of Tamshui, (claimed by the Japanese to have fallen into their hands this morning), according to a telephone message received here today from Waichow, important Chinese stronghold about 25 miles inland from Bias Bay.
Japanese aircraft are said to have been heavily bombing Ngaotow and Tamshui, the latter town having been completely demolished.
General Vu Han-mou, Commandétin-Chief of the Chinese forces in Kwangtung, has issued an appeal to the entire' Kwangtung populace to "rive, and resist the Japanese invasion'
The appeal also urges the evacuation of all women and children, Families of officials heve been order-fed {0 leave Canton within two days.
Gen, Matsui Sala Japanese Head An announcement states that Gen.
Matsui, former Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in the Shang-hal area, "is now in command of the South China operations."
At the same time, it is reliably reported that one of China's most prominent military leaders, who distinguished, himself in the East, Kwangtung fighting, in 1925, has now been appointed Commander-in-Chier of the Chinese forces in South China, with General Vu Han-mou, Pacifica: tion Commissioner in Kwangtung Province, assisting.
The new Chinese, Commander, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, has the reputation in Chinese circles of being the "blessed Commander, who has never yet suffered a defeat in his brilliant military
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.