JAPANESE DESTROYER FIRED ON

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 11

JAPANESE DESTROYER FIRED ON

Taku Incident MILITARY OFFENSIVE BEGUN By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received July 29. 7.45 p.m.) Tokio, July 29. The Japanese Minister of the Navy, Admiral Mitsubasa, in a communique, states that Chinese troops fired on a Japanese destroyer lying off Taku. lhe destroyer returned the fire, after which the naval forces opened an offensive iu co-opefation with the Japanese military forces.

According to a Tientsin telegram, fighting broke out. early this morning bet’ween the 38th Chinese Division aud Japanese troops in tbe most populous area between Tientsin East and the Tientsin city railway station.

A message from Peking states that severe fighting, broke out yesterday, Peking being believed to be the first main objective of the Japanese attack. British and other foreign troops manned the gates of the legation quarter ns a precaution. Chinese troops are being rushed to Peking in preparation for its defence. The firing died down at. midnight. 'rhe Japanese claim to have captured Nanyuan, five miles south of Peking. The Japanese military spokesman said yesterday, “Zero hour is noon tomorrow. We may have to blow up t,he gates of Peking.” Hope of Peace Abandoned. At Tokio the Foreign Office spokesman Mr TatsUo Kawai, formally announced that Japan, having abandoned hope of a peaceful arrangement, will proceed to a military settlement of the trouble in North China. He declared that the mere withdrawal of the 37th division was now deemed entirely insufficient to ensure the safety of the lives and property of Japanese nationals. The Mm per or received the Minister of War and discussed the situation. The British Charge d’Affaires and the American Ambassador called on the Foreign Minister, Mr. K. Hirota, who declared he was making strenuous efforts to avoid fighting on a large scale, and that every effort would be made not to endanger the lives and property of foreigners in Peking. Navy in Readiness. Tbe Japanese Minister of the Navy. Admiral Mitsubasa Yonai, announced that, the navy is standing by and is ready to co-operate with the military operations in North China. These at present consist of a full-scale attack on Poking from three sides simultaneously, pouring a storm of shells on the city. Colonel Matsui. the envoy of LieutGeneral Katsuki, commanding the Japanese troops, informed General Sung Cheh-yuan. the North Chinese commander, that Japan was finally forced to take independent action, adding that Chinese insincerity was evidenced by their treacherous firing on the Japanese troops at the western gate of Peking. This was an unforgivable insult. General Sung Shellyuan, however, had already rejected the ultimatum. Japanese headquarters In Tientsin announce that they have no intention of making tbe 100.000.000 Chinese in North China the object of a punitive action, which will be directed solely against the Chinese opposing the Japanese troops. The arrival of 30 more aeroplanes

has doubled the Japanese air force at Tientsin, where 32,000 additional troops are garrisoned. MAJOR CONFLICT IMMINENT Chinese Efforts For Peace Exhausted Tlie Chinese Consul for New Zealand has received the following cablegram from Nanking: — “The Chinese authorities at Peking had decided this afternoon to reject the Japanese demand for the withdrawal of units of the Twenty-ninth Army from Peking and vicinity within a specified time. The Japanese military presented an ultmatum yesterday demandng, first, that units of the Thirtyseventh Division at Lukouchiao area retire to Changaintien before noon today; secondly, that, other units of the same dlvisiod inside Peking and Ssiyuan retire westward to the Yungtlng River before Wednesday noon; and, thirdly, immediately after evacuation of these areas, the whole of the 37th Division must withdraw to Panting. “According to the latest information received, serious fighting occurred on the outskirts of Peking and all along the railway between Peking and Tientsin. Though details are at present unavailable. North China seems to be on the eve of a major conflict.” Anxiety for Peace. The Chinese Foreign Office spokesman stated : “Though the responsibility for the outbreak of the Lukouchiao Incident does not rest with China, the Chinese Government is anxious to preserve peace in East Asia, and consistently strived for the pacific settlement through regular diplomatic channels. The Chinese Foreign Minister repeatedly proposed a definite date to be fixed for'the mutual Withdrawal of troops. Unfortunately, Japan not only refused to accept the Chinese proposals. but persisted in sending large reinforcements to North China. Meantime, a settlement was agreed on by local Chinese and Japanese military authorities. The Central Government raised no objections to the terms of settlement which are not fundamentally inconsistent with the position it has taken. “The Chinese Government’s extreme forbearance in thus endeavouring to preserve peace must be plain to all observers. On the other hand, Japan not only failed to withdraw her troops, but continued to send heavy reinforcements into Peking and Tientsin area. On tlie night of July 25, Japanese troops made an unprovoked attack on the Chinese garrison at Langfang during which a large number of Japanese bombing planes were brought into action. Tbe Japanese further presented impossible demands to the Chinese local authorities and staged a rapid succession of provocative acts on the outskirts of Peking. All these clearly indicate that the Japanese are bent on aggravating the present crisis with a view of achieving their sinister designs on North China. China has exhausted Iter efforts for peace, and the responsibility for future developments in North China rests solely with Japan.” Towns Recaptured. The Chinese Consul for New Zealand received yesterday the following cablegrams from Nanking:— “Chinese troops recaptured Fengtai and Langfang this morning, fighting progressing in favour of the Chinese forces at Tungchow sector. Two squadrons of Japanese planes raided Nanyuan and Peking this morning, dropping boirbs and propaganda leaflets. General Sung cheh-yuan’s circular telegram received here this morning declares that continuous Japanese provocations compelled the Chinese forces to offer stern resistance for the sake of national existence.”

“Since the commencement of general hostilities, in the Peking and Tientsin area yesterday afternoon, Chinese troops gained the upper hand at all sectors. Fengtai, the base of Japanese military operations recovered at 8.40 o’clock and Langfang at 9 o’clock this morning. Japanese troops are evacuating Tungchow, the seat of East Hopei Puppet Regime, the capture of which Is imminent. Eleven Japanese planes bombed Peking and suburbs at 5.30 o’clock: the extent of damage is at present unascertainable. One Japn nese bomber was shot down at Ilsiyuan and seven were seized when Chinese occupied Chaoehiateng airfield, southward of Peking.”