Chinese claims of a successful counter-attack upon Canton were characterized as unfounded by a Japanese military spokesman here yesterday who asserted that the Japanese forces there were in "full control" of an area centring upon Canton with a radius of from 30 to 60 kilometres.
Samshui, west. of Canton, and Tsungfa, to the north of the City of Rams, he said, were "definitely in Japanese hands". He declined to give other points held bythe Japanese, "With a new Commander-in-Chief at their head," the spokesman declared "our forces in South China are calmly Preparing for the next stage, of 4 operations, As I said a few days ago, this quiet may be compared to the lull before a storm.
Questioned regarding à foreign news agency report from Hongkong alleging that Japanese sources there had admitted the evacuation of Samshui by the Japanese, the spokesman. said that enquiries made with the agency's Hongkong office had elicited the reply that the report was based on information received by the-agency from Canton.
"We are making further enquiries in order to ascertain the full facts of the' case," he said. 4
Foreign Attitude Appreciated Canton, Nov. 19, Appreciation of the "friendly att tude" displayed by various Powers towards Japanese military operations near Canton was expressed her yesterday afternoon by Lieut-Gen. Rikichi Ando, newly-appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in South China.
"Due attention" will be paid by the Japanese forces, he said, towards respecting foreign rights and interests which will not be interfered with.
"Tens of thousands" of Japanese troops, Lieut.-Gen. Ando said, were being concentrated near Canton to prepare for the next stage.
"We shall not withdraw until our objective is attained", the new Commander-in-Chief told Japanese correspondents in his first interview. "We intend to proceed actively in the overthrow of the Chiang Kai-shek utile" 3 Lieut-Gen. Ando denounced the creation of special privileges and the acquisition of private riches by force. Trade and industry, he said, would be encouraged.
Chinese who do not show hostility to the Japanese, Lieut-Gen. Ando continued, would be accorded protection, while the Japanese army would deal mercilessly with anyone interfering with the progress of Japanese military operations.
"Autonomy and self-help will be encouraged to bring about a return of peace and order and the economic rehabilitation of the Chinese people," he declared.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.