Evening star., 1937-11-28
FORCE IN NANK|NC
FACING ISOLATION
Japanese Troops Advancing
as Hold on Shanghai
Is frightened.
81 the Associated Press.


SHANGHAI. Nov. % Sunday
Japan's soldiers today pushed their
conouests deeper mt China's eastern
provinces while Japan's representa-
tives in the rear tightened their hold
on the communications and customs
services of conquered Shanghai.
Wuhu and Kwangteh, in Anhwei
Province, hitherto not invaded, were
oblectlves of rapid thrusts which
threatened to isolate Nanking even
before the capital could be reached by
other Japanese columns and perhaps
before its defenders could withdraw.
Hangchow. beautiful and historic
capital Of Chekiang Province, was
menaced by other japanese forces
sUarming through the hilly country
100 or more miles southwest of
Shanghai.
News that Great Britain had warned
Japan the British government expects
to be consulted about any changes in
communications and customs services
In Shanghai had no apparent effect
on the Japanese program of CONSOLE
dation here.
japanese officers today were seeking
the cooperation of Chinese tech
nicians and telegraphers to insure in
terrupted operation of the radio and
telegraph services in the Shanhai area
over which Japan assumed control.
A Japanese spokesman said, should
our efforts ito obtain such cooper
atom fail, temporary interruption of
communications facilities would fol-
low, to the regret of the japanese au-
tkorities'
The japanese thrust toward Wuhu,
treaty port on the Yangtze River SIS
: miles South-southWeSt of Nanking,
threatened to bottle up all civilians
remaining in the capital and cut off
Chinese military forces in the entire
Marking region.
1t was feared great loss of civilian
life would result if the japanese first
isolated. then attacked Nanklng.
There was danger of total destruction
of Chinas brilliant capital if its de-
tenders we're trapped and turned to
fight within its walls.
Troops Converge on HangchOw.
A japanese column captured Szean
= 110 miles inland from Shanghai. and
drove toward Kwangteh, in Anhwei
Other units were moving on HangchoW
from the north and east.
The northern column from KaShing
was spread-eagling as it slowly ap-
n Nn 50 Ct
had fought its way along the north
ern shore of Hangchow Bay, captured
Haiyen and was threatening Kanpoo
Other japanese commands were
marching along the highway to Thing
and cutting through the hills from
captured Changing to attack Liyang
only As miles from Nanking.
Chinese asserted japanese losses ir
the crossing of Lake Tai, the first
move in the swing against Nanking
from the southeast, were extremely
heavy. Boats loaded with troops were
said to have been sunk by Chinese
regulars and the pirates who have in
tested the lake for many years.
With the fighting spreading through
out the HangchoW area, American
missionaries were withdrawing. Twen-
ty-two arrived at Shanghai yester-
day and more we're expected within a
few days.
japanese Take Over Rule.
In Shanghai japanese began as
euming all functions formerly eXer-
cised by the Chinese government, ever
in the International areas.
However, life in the Internationa
Settlement and French Concession re-
manned unchanged, The Japanese
made no effort to interfere with the
normal activities of foreigners ir
Shanghai.