U.S. NATIONALS IN CHINA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 11

U.S. NATIONALS IN CHINA

REPLY TO JAPANESE WARNING

INVADERS WILL BE HELD

RESPONSIBLE

(Received February 27, 8.15 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, February 25,

The United States Government has officially notified Japan that American nationals have a right to reside in China and that the United States will hold Japan strictly accountable for injury to Americans or their property through Japanese military operations.

Mr Joseph C. Grew (United States Ambassador) was instructed to inform Japan that he" warning to the United States that militaiy operations were imminent in Central China, and that Americans should seek places of safety, was no excuse for lessened Japanese responsibility; and that it was not encumbent on Americans to take the precautionary measures requested.

JAPANESE OFFENSIVE

CHINESE HOLD GROUND IN BATTLE

SHANGHAI, February 25.*

Obviously to frustrate Chinese air raids on Japan, Japanese aeroplanes bombed the coastal aerodromes at Chuchow, Fuchow, Changchow, and Amoy. A Japanese bulletin asserts that 59 Japanese aeroplanes shot down 30 or 40 Chinese aeroplanes, the Japanese losing only two. The Japanese are attacking Ling Shih-sien, 70 miles to the south-west of Taiyuan, as part of the campaign in Shansi for a round up of Chinese Communist guerrilla bands. One hundred thousand Chinese held their own in a day's battle against the Japanese general offensive. Ling Shih-sien commands an important pass into Southern Shansi.

The Japanese claim to have captured all the key points on the Yellow river in North Honan. The Chinese admit the loss of Siyuan and Mengshien, near Fengkiu. The Japanese in Honan are approaching Chungyang.

JAPANESE AIR ATTACKS

SQUADRONS REPLACE SINGLE MACHINES

(Received February 27, 8.58 p.m.)

CANTON, February 27.

The Japanese have begun a series of air attacks, using squadrons instead of single aeroplanes and small groups.