ANXIETY IN AMERICA.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20463, 5 February 1932, Page 9

ANXIETY IN AMERICA.

ORDERS TO ADMIRAL. NATIONALS EVACDATED FROM NANKING. (cajTEO TBBEO ASSOCIATION— BT EUSCTJHO TELEGBAPS —COETmaHT.) (Received February 4th, 9.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 3. The critical situation in the International Settlement at Shanghai, with the safety of foreigners menaced by continued fighting between the Japanese and Chinese, occupied the exclusive attention of the Government, to-day.

News that Baron M. Sato hag informed Sir Erie Drummond at Geneva that Japan rejects two points o£ the Anglo-American proposals—the second gild the fifth—causo'l a further feeling qf anxiety, It is understood that President Hoover believes it is necessary that tho prospective negotiations to settle the difficulties should bo conducted in the spirit of the Pact of Paris."

The Department of State was in frequent consultation with the British ornment to-day by telephone.

The Navy Department has directed Admiral M. M. Taylor to assure the other neutral naval and military authorities at Shanghai of "100 per cent, naval and military co-operation" by tho United States navy in maintaining neutrality and the safety of the International Settlement. These orders went forward following the receipt of important messages from Admiral Taylor, the contents of which have not been divulged.

Report? from American representatives in Shnughai told of the Japanese bombardment of the Woosung forts, tho falling of Chinese shells in the International Settlement, the evacuation of Americans from Nanking, and the feeling of uncertainty in tho Yangtse and South China ports. The day in Congress brought a demand by representative McFadden for the Vinson Naval Construction Bill. He said: The dark shadaw of war clouds rises upon the western horizon of the Pacific. A determined military pire sweeps aside treaties as they were swept aside in 1914. The Senate Foreign Relations Comr mitt'ee decided to defer action on the resolution by Senator C. C, Dill asking for prohibition o? the shipment of munitions to China and Japan.

The Vinson. Bill, introduced by Mr Carl Vinson, democratic chairman of the House of Representatives, requested the building by America of 120 ships, including four aeroplane carriers, nine cruisers, 85 destroyers, and 22 submarines at a <w<«t of 610,000,000 dollars. It was decided on January 25th to shelve the Bill until after the Disarmament Conference.

A DELICATE SITUATION. DESTROYERS FIRED ON. (BitiTisa or ii ci At, wiaELtts*,) RUGBY, February S. Press telegrams from Shanghai statu that further artillery and rifle firing occurred in the Hongkew area, in the neighbourhood of the station, this afternoon. Many Japanese aeroplanes were overhead, engaged in artillery spotting. Shell fragments fell in the Settlement. Other Shanghai messages pay tributes to the calmness of men and women volunteers under trying conditions, and the efficiency shown in the tunning of emergency organisations. Great sympathy is felt for tho inoffensive Chinese women, and every effort possible is being made locally to relieve their distress. Volunteers who are engaged on essential patrol work are reported to be performing their difficult task with the utmost tact. The newspapers here express the hope that yesterday's developments will cause prompt relief of the situation which has roused world opinion in an unmistakable manner, A further statement regarding tlw» situation 'was made in the House of Commons by Sir John Simon (Foreign Secretary). He said the cruiser Berwick had arrived in Shanghai, and the disembarkation of the battalion of the A.» gyll and Sutherland Highlanders and a mountain battery of the Royal Artillery took place to-day, He added: An Answer Awaited. __ "The situation in Shanghai remains very delicate. The latest information Indicates that the international commanders are cordially co-operating in the work of maintaining order within the Settlement, and the position in thw respect appears to be more aatisfaotory. The British Consul.General (Mr J. F. Brenan) reports that the municipal police are beginning again to function in parts of the Japanese sector of the International Settlement. "On the other hand I regret to have to report the fact that there was further lighting in Shanghai yesterday. Japanese reconnoitring aeroplanes were flred upon, and thereafter the Chinese position was subjected to heavy gunfire, but, so far as my information goes, the Japanese lines have not been advanced. "The Japanese Consul-General m Shanghai has informed the other Consular representatives that a destroyer (squadron passing the Woosung Forth, at the mouth of the river, had been fired upon this morning, that the ships returned the fire, and was intended to occupy Woosung. VWe still await full and authoritative answers to representations made by tho four Powers to the Japanese and Chinese Governments, and in the meantime I am convinced that it is highly desirable to give time for these good offices to have an undisturbed effect. I may say there are grounds for hope that these are having a good result."

GERMANY FALLS IN LINE. ;usite:d ritrsa association— bt xlzctxic TEI/EOaAPH—COPf RIGHT-) BERLIN, February 3. The Government has instructed its representatives at Tokyo and Nanking to associate Germany with the Powers' proposals to cease operations at Shanghai and achieve a peaceful solution.