It was stated, however, that at least one Japanese bomber had been shot down at Poklo, while it was also reported that several squadrons of Chinese pursuit planes had arrived in South China, and had begun engaging the Japanese raiders.
Pamphlets have been dropped by Japanese planes, addressed to General Wu Teh-chen, Governor of Kwangtung, Gen. Vu Han-mou, Pacification Commissioner, Mr. Tseng Yang-fu, Mayor of Canton, and other officials, advising them to "surrender on pain of extermination.
The pamphlets claim that the three Wuhan cities, Hankow, Hanyang and Wuchang have already been occupied by the Japanese.
Reports from Swatow state that 60 Japanese motor-boats passed at 11 a.m. today heading for Hongkong, escorted by a small tanker. It is believed that they will be used for the operations in the Pearl River Delta.
Many Chinese are leaving Swatow, which remains calm. The garrison has been augmented by Fukien troops, and militia units, A strong monsoon makes a landing here im probable, according to the local mil tary authorities.
In Canton, evacuation is proceeding at a rapid pace, the evacuees including foreign employees of the Chinese Government working for industrial enterprises, whose homeward passages have been arranged.
It is understood that the Chinese authorities are mining various plants, including the cement works at Saichuen, the paper mills at Honam, and the power plant on the Fast Bund, which will be destroyed in the event of the complete evacuation of the city.—Reuter.
Hongkong, Oct. 19.
With the Japanese ad¥ance in South China meeting with spectacular success, informed foreign observers here disclosed that Gen. Chiang Kaishek is undecided whether to save Canton or the Wuhan cities.
They added that it is the general opinion among Chinese here that Canton should be saved rather than Hankow inasmuch as the former is nearer the sea. Hongkong and French Indo-China, it was" pointed out, are also near.
If Canton is lost, foreign quarters emphasized, Japan will be able, both commercially and politically, to dominate foreign interests. In such sh event, it was added, the Powers would lose all interest in South China.
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.