Evening star., 1939-09-25
10000 Soldiers Killed
On Each Side, Chinese
And japanese Claim
Defenders Call Drive
On Chungsho RepuIsed
By Army Of e50,000

On Chongsho RepuIsed
BY Army Of s5o.ooo
BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 26 (Tuesday).
Chinese and Japanese reports to-
day estimated 10000 soldiers had
been killed in the current japanese
drive on Changsha, in South Gen.
trail China.
Japanese said their forces had
advanced to within Is miles of
Changsha. Earlier Chinese reports
said the Japanese had been repulsed
90 miles from the city, which had
been partially destroyed last October
because Japanese drive was ex-
pected then.
Each side asserted 1t had killed
10000 soldiers.
Advices from Foochow, on the
coast, at the same time said that
at least 1000 persons were killed or
wounded last week during Japanese
bombings of Northern Fukien Prov
ince.
While Europe was occupied with
Its war, Japan apparently sought to
strike major blow in her 26-
month-old conflict with China.
Chinese authorities declared
their forces had prevented CO.
ordinated air. land and naval
attacks from developing into major
drive from the Yangtze River south
ward toward Changsha, objective of
a Japanese drive since Toxic reached
a truce with Russia regarding the
Manchukuo frontier.
Landing Boats DESTROYED.
A westward attack aimed at
Changsha from Nanchang, in XII
angst Province, repeatedly brought
steady fighting on fronts extending
200 miles from east to west and 100
miles from north to south.
The Chinese were said to have
destroyed many bridges and dug
numerous tank traps in the area.
A Japanese report in Hong Kong
said japanese raiding planes had
dropped mixed loads of bombs and
propaganda leaflets to the west and
north of Changsha. Chinese In
Hong Kong reported $500 Japanese
casualties in an unsuccessful at
tempt to advance toward Chanesha
from footholds on the south bank
OF the Sinsiang River and Lake
Tungting.
A large force" of japanese and
60 Chinese divisions with an esti-
mated strength of $4,000 men were
said to be participating in the first
major military action In several
months.
japanese Increase Propagands.
At the same time Japan stepped
up her peace offensive" through
propaganda for a new government
for China under Wang Ching-wei,
former Premier of the Chang Kai-
snek government of China.
The Chinese Peoples Peace Pro-
noting League" said it telegraphed
President Roosevelt asking support
OF Wang and discontinuance of any
aid for Chungking ofilcials.
Chinese leaders acknowledge the
war In Europe has increased the
dangers to China. Chang and
others, however, have declared their
determination to continue resist
ance, asserting lin the long run
China must stand or fall on her
own resources" -.
Wang Pushes Program r.
To Consolidate Government.
TOXIC. Sept. IS R.-Wans
Ching-wei, former Premier of Gen.
eralissimo Chang Kai-sheks gov
ernment. was said today to be for
mulating plans rapidly for consoli-
dation of the Japanese-controlled
Peiping and Nanking governments
into a single Japanese-sponsored re-
gime in China.
Wang, 1t was announced recently,
visited Japan in June and discussed
the projected administration with
Prince Fumimaro Konoye. Observ-
ers expressed belief that If Japan 3
political program goes according to
schedule, she will be able to pre-
sent the world with an accomplished
fact before the end of the year.
These sources said the plan calls
for supreme effort to smash
Chiang's armed resistance and for
the installation of a strong central
government favorable to Japan.
Thereafter, they said, the army
might be expected to take q de-
fensive position along borders of
the area already occupied.
japanese strategists believe fewer
troops will be necessary for defense
of the boundaries, thus releasing
others to conduct a drive against
guerrillas now in the occupied zones.
simultaneously, Toxic is expected
to recognize Wang's government.
Neither the Peiping nor Marking
governments have been recognized
formally, although they are more
than q year old.