澳洲报刊有关桂系报导选(6)

澳洲报刊有关桂系报导选(6)

【说明：下面这篇报道披露，1938年10月日军在广东登陆后，李宗仁曾力陈返回广西，拟指挥两广部队迎击日军的侵略。这在以往的资料中未曾见到这种说法，故予以选登于下。当然，其中对李宗仁出身的描述(受过德国训练)，似讹传之故，望读者明察。】

TAKEN BY JAPAN CANTON IN FEAR
CITIZENS FLEE

"The Argus" Independent Cable Service

HONG KONG, Friday.

    Japanese tanks and mechanised troops reached the streets of Canton this afternoon. The first line of defence crumbled last night, and the Government decided to evacuate the city as the only means of sparing it the horrors of destruction.

    Panic-stricken crowds have been storming the railway station in Canton, and men, women, and children have been fighting for standing room m packed carriages. It is estimated that more than 600,000 persons have already left the city.

    Those who remain fear that the Japanese will soon cut the railway between Canton and Hankow, after which the only exit would be west- ward to Kwangsi province by way of Samshuhsian.

    The British and French authorities in the Shameen concession are guarding the approaches from the city against a possible inrush of refugees.

    A hundred thousand Chinese are marching from Kwangsi to relieve Canton, but they will not reach the battle-front for three days.

Forts Captured

    The Japanese claim to have captured Shengwongtau, 12 miles north-east of the inner fortifications of Canton.

    They also claim to have taken Tayeh, 45 miles from Hankow.

    General Li Chung-jen, who commands the Chinese forces along the Yangtsekiang front, has sent a telegram to the Chinese generalissimo (General Chiang Kai-shek) pleading to be relieved of his command so that he may leave for Canton. "I want to go to my beloved south," he says, "to take over the command and defence of the southern capital."

    General Li, who has been trained by German officers, was formerly commander in Kwangsi province He is reputed to be the best strategist in the Chinese Army.

The Argus, Saturday 22 October 1938, p.1.