DESPERATE STAND BY CHINESE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22274, 13 December 1937, Page 9

DESPERATE STAND BY CHINESE

STREET FIGHTING IN NANKING

REFUGEES FLOCK TO SAFETY-ZONES

LONDON, December 10,

The Japanese flag flies over the *walls of Nanking but blood runs in “tjie cobbled streets as the Chinese atand desperately against the Japanese troops, who are exultant over Hhe honour to be the first to. enter ithe historic walled city. Throughout the day the Japanese (ffained bombs from the air, and their guns put up a heavy barrage for ?*tbe advancing troops, who, supported by tanks, charged through in the Gate of Glory, showing great gallantry. Other bodies are trying to force a in from the north, east, and lEouth.

The Japanese claim that they nave already seized six of the city’s gates, and that they have penetrated to the inner city. A communique from Imperial noadquarters announced that the troops were commanded by Prince Yasuh Foasaka, a son-in-law of the Emperor. Two Japanese observation balloons appeared south of the Purple Mountain this afternoon and realoft in spite of all attempts ky the Chinese to bring them down. At Pukow bombs fell near the united States gunboat Panay during an aerial attack on the city. The explosions rocked the ship. ihe detachment which forced the gate at Nanking has received the xoiiowing message from General Matsm: “Hearty congratulations. I appreciate your successful attainment of a difficult task.”

Truce Proposal Reports from Tokyo that the Japanese have entered Nanking are confirmed to some extent by messages from Shanghai. A detachment of Japanese descending from the Purple Mountain battered down the Taiping Gates * nr * gamed a foothold between the •inner and outer walls, where desperate street fighting followed. £ne Japanese artillery made breaches elsewhere in the outer wall.

The city gates which, it is claimed, nave been captured will give the Japanese access to the most populous part of the city. The Japanese,