[APAN today moved into the cross roads of the South China Seas.
In a swift combined naval and military attack, Japanese forces by noon had succeeded in securi control of the two major towns of Hainan Island and occupying its sole fortress.
Less than eight hours after the first Japanese troops had made their night landing in an unnamed bay along the west coast, Kiungchow, seat of the island government, was occupied at 10.45 o'clock this morning.
Fifteen minutes later, Hoihow, the port of Kiungchow and biggest town on Hainan, fell into Japanese hands.
'At about the same time, another Japanese detachment drove out the garrison' from the Hsiuying forts defending Hoihow. Strategically dominate ing the coast of French Indo-Chini between British Hongkong and Singapore, and flanking the Philippines, 500 miles to the east, Hainan occupies an important position in the Far Eastern poli-
Covering an area of about. 13,000 square miles, this island ig situated between 10 and 20 degrees north Latifhude and 109.30 to 112,30 degrees east Tongitude, about 250 miles south-west of Hongkong. "Its population is estimated at 2,500,000, of whom ten per cent. are aborigines. Little resistance was encountered by the advancing Japanese from the 800 Chinese regulars and the 20,000, ill-equipped militiamen reported to be on the island, Gen, Chang Ta, commander-in chief of the Chinese forees on the island, was at Shaochow in northern Kwangtung "when Japanese forces wore landed, The Japanese convoy, consisting transports and escorting naval vessels, dropped anchor off Hainan island at 1LOelock last night The moon appeared only occasionally from behind the clouds. prevent the provisioning of Yunnan from the island.
The spokesman said Hainan Island would provide a firm base for Jay ese operations in South China and would also help to strengthen the JGlockade by curbing the activities of Chinese. pirates, who were on the Island in large rumpers and had been engaged in running the Japanese blockade by carrying arms.
Asked i¢ Hainan would serve as an air base, the spokesman replied that, with regard. to future operations of the Japanese army and navy, he was tunable to give any information.
"The Army spokesman stated that far as he knew no previous communication had been made to foreign Powers about the landing at Hainan and there had been no understanding or agreement between the Japanese fand the French authorities Chinese Give Way A few rounds of desultory machine-un fire greeted the Japanese as they swarmed towards the shore in scores of boats. When the Japanese gained foothold, the Chinese retreated.
With naval aircraft tying overhead to show the way, the combined naval and army landing force boga its eastward advance at daybreak. Army aircraft, at the same time, subjected Chinese defence centres to an intensive bombardment Naval guns then began pounding the Hsiuying forts defending Hoihow, silencing them after a brief barrage. Two-thirds of Holhow's 80,000 inhabitants had led when Japanese troops entered. Most of them left the istand following bombings on previous occasions. issued im= mediately "after the landing, the Commander of the Japanese force: Urged residents to, remain at home an attend to their business but Who resists or harms the Chinese Planes Raid Japanese Airfield Chungking, Feb. 6.
Chinese aircraft staged a surer vald yesterday upon a Japanese base at Yunehen, in South Shansi, "demolishing over 40 Japanese aeroplanes on the field, and also ground structures;" according to information from Chinese aviation circles.
It is claimed that a squadron of Chinese bombers appeared above the fir field yesterday afternoon, having clear view of the aerodrome, and being favoured with good weather, Aller releasing their bombs, which set fire to aeroplanes and hangers, the bombers are clamed all to have returned to their base safely after the most successful raid so far this takes ction Chinese stragglers Will be dealt with mereitessiy."
Six ports dot Hainan Island. Hol~ how, in the north, already in Japan= ese hands; Tiohlu, Yulin and Samat the south; Tsintuan in the south= east, and Sinying in the west. While Hoihow is very shallow, the three southern ports are deep but have no habour facilities.
The foreign colony consists of forty Americans, all of them missionaries, excepting" Mr. Groff Smith, com: missioner of Customs at Hoihow, and his family, in addition to an undeter~ mined number of British, French and
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