WAR DEADLOCK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 299, 14 September 1937, Page 11

WAR DEADLOCK

Japanese Make Little Progress

SHANGHAI FRONT Result of a Month’s Fighting CHINESE RECOVER GROUND By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright (Received September 13, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 13. After a month’s fighting the Japan-' ese on the Shanghai front have nowhere penetrated more than five miles from the coast. Their planes are unable to locate the Chinese batteries hidden in bamboo groves at Pootung. Communications are still open between Shanghai, Nanking and Hangchow despite constant bombing. “The Times’’ Shanghai correspondent says the Chinese counter-offensives have apparently recovered the ground lost in the last Japanese attack. Both sides are exhausted after thirty hours’ fighting, aud have suspended operations in the Lotien sector. A superior number of Chinese have surrounded the Japanese between Lotien, Yangchang, Woosung aud Yangtsepoo amid a network of muddy creeks, where every village is a natural fortress. Experts consider the Japanese can force the issue when their preparations are complete, but the question whether more men can help them is being considered. Adverse conditions have so far prevented them from taking the initiative. They can buy nothing in Shanghai and must bring all their food aud labour from Japan. A Shanghai message says new Japanese reinforcements landed at Liuho, Paoshan and Woosung with the object of retaking Lotien. The Japanese at dawn had consolidated a twenty-mile line stretching along the Yangtsc- to Woosung. They have penetrated seven miles inland. CHINA APPEALS TO LEAGUE “Intolerable Aggression” by Japan Geneva, September 12. The Chinese delegation to-night appealed to the League for immediate action to stop what it describes as Japan’s intolerable aggression in China. The League is asked to invoke Article 17 of the Covenant. The delegation says that the Far Eastern crisis has developed into a world crisis and Japanese aggression is threatening not only China's independence and territorial integrity but is menacing the general peace of the world. The delegation adds'that it hopes the United States will associate itself with action by the League in the future as in the past. WAR IN THE NORTH Japanese Repair Damaged Railway Peking, September 12. The Japanese have reopened the Nankow-Kalgan .railway and repaired a tunnel which the retreating Chinese damaged. British missionaries have been advised to evacuate Shansi Province owing to the Japanese invasion. The Chinese have withdrawn from Machang. PAOSHAN DEFENCE Entire Chinese Battalion Wiped Out The following cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul in Wellington :— “Saturday night: ‘‘Despite fierce Japanese onslaughts, the various sectors of the Chinese positions at Yangtsepoo and Woosung areas continue unchanged. The severest engagement took place at Jukong wharf, where the Japanese casualties included one regiment commander and a number of other officers, The Chinese recorded further gains at Lotien sector, while Yuehpo continue in Chinese bands. ' ‘'The entire battalion of Chinese troops defending Paoshan against overwelming odds and devastating bombardment by Japanese warship- and planes fell on September 7 with the city they so gallantly defended. Only two or three wounded soldiers lived Io tell the story of their heroism. It is now known that the Japanese concentrated gunlre from 30 warships, aud used over 20 tanks and a number of planes besides a large infantry force to bring down the city wherein the Chinese battalion held out for two days. “The Chinese air force bombed the Japanese warships on the Whangpoo River and the Japanese air field at Yangtsepoo. About 10 Japanese planes are believed to have been destroyed. Retailiating, the Japanese bombed Nantao, demolishing a large number of Chinese houses and killing a considerable number of civilians. “Commenting on the Japanese indiscriminate bombing of non-combatants, the ‘Central Daily Newis’ declared that among civilised people it wa's impossible to discover motives for such atrocious activities, nor can they imagine where such action may lead tb. Such brutal behaviour in the Far East is a disgrace to the entire Asiatic people, and'it is also a blot in the history of mankind.” WOUNDING OF CONSUL No Chinese Planes Flying at Time Shanghai, September 12. The Air Force has notified the British authorities that no Chinese planes were flying at the time the British Ambassador, Sir Hughe KnatchbullHugessen, was attacked.