CHINESE ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 33, 3 November 1937, Page 9

CHINESE ATTACK

Determined To Save Shansi Province JAPANESE CONFIDENT No Immediate Danger To Northern Area By Telegraph.—Press. Assn. —Copyright. Nanking, November 1. Determined to save Shansi province, the Chinese launched a counter-offen-sive east of Shansi and also along the Peking-Hankow railway, the former supported by two crack divisions and the Eighth Route Army. The latter has already reached Singtai, 60 miles south of Shihehiaehwang, but the Japanese, who are in strong force, consider that North Shansi is not in immediate danger. JAPAN ADMITS ATTACK ON BRITISH Promises Punishment Of Those Responsible (Received November 2, 7.30 p.m.) London, November 2. The Japanese Embassy admits that the death of three British soldiers at Jessfield Park was due to Japanese shells, and agrees to deal with those responsible and provide compensation. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, informed the House of Commons that a Japanese Note had been received conveying the result of the investigation into tlie second aeroplane attack on British Emlwissy cars en route to Shanghai, offering apologies and promising appropriate measures against those responsible. The British Government, while agreeing to regal'd the incident as closed, asked Japan to inform it of the nature of the measures taken.

According to an earlier message, a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy said that, a thorough investigation showed that there was no shelling by Japanese military or marine forces after sunset, on October 29, when tlie British authorities allege that a Japanese shell caused the deaths of British soldiers and wounded several others in Jessfield Park.

The Japanese sent wreaths when the funeral took place of Riflemen Howarth Mellon, Delaney, and O’Toole (who were killed during the shelling) at Bubbling Well Cemetery. A volley was not fired for fear of creating a panic in the neighbourhood. The British authorities asked the Japanese, in view of the circumstances, not to send a detachment.

The wreaths included one from the “doomed” Chinese battalion. ’Thousands of Chinese atterided.

INTENSIVE BARRAGE

Japanese Crossings Of Soochow Creek

(Received November 2, 7.30 p.m.)

London, November 2.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Shanghai correspondent, detailing Japanese crossings of Soochow Creek at several points, says that these were effected under cover of an intensive artillery and aircraft barrage, followed by a smokescreen.

Engineers lost 90 per cent, of their numbers while throwing bridges and pontoons across the creek for the infantry, who were largely mowed down by machine-gun fire. The Japanese, in a desperate effort to encircle Shanghai, cut off the main Chinese force from the Settlement. Two more liners, transporting additional Japanese troops, are proceeding to Shanghai. SEIZURE OF JUNK American Protest To Japan Shanghai, November 1. Brigadier Beaumont, the United States Commander-in-Chief, strongly protested agaiust the action of Japanese bluejackets who, it is alleged, crossed Soochow Creek from Chapel and seized a rice-laden Chinese junk manned by United States marines which was lying on the International Settlement side of the creek, after driving off the crew by shots which afterward proved to be blank cartridges. The Japanese expressed regrets and promised that there would be no recurrence. The Japanese are holding on precariously to their positions across Soochow Creek. Engineers, under cover of smoke-screens, have constructed live pontoon bridges over which the troops are passing, covered by artillery and warplanes. The Royal Ulster Rilles have moved from the huts which constitute the Jessficld Barracks to quarters at the junction of Brennan and Yuyuan roads, in West Shanghai. The Chinese Commander-in-Chief (General Chiang Kai-shek) has promoted all the officers and men of the “doomed” battalion by one rank. OFFER OF PEACE? Chinese Deny Receipt Of Conditions The following cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul from Nanking:— The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denied a report from London that the Japanese Government had communicated to General Chiang Kai-shek six conditions as a basis of peace. To avoid international complications, the lone battalion was ordered to evacuate the warehouse last night. The withdrawal was preceded by heavy fighting lasting the whole day. There were few Chinese casualties. The battalion commander, interviewed, declared that tlie troops are in excellent spirit, and that there were sufficient provisions and ammunition for a long stay.

There was fierce lighting on the western front along Soochow Greek. Eighty Japanese soldiers who crossed the creek behind a smoke-screen wore

successfully repulsed with 50 Japanese casualties. The Consul received the following cablegram yesterday morning:— Japanese units succeeded in crossing Soochow Creek at two points in the western area. Chinese infantry coun-ter-attacked, and drove the enemy back, inflicting heavy losses. The Chinese anti-aircraft guns south of Soochow Creek seriously hampered the activities of the Japanese planes. FOREIGN POWERS Japan’s Attitude Toward Intervention Tokio, November 1. It is understood that there is no change in Japan's policy of opposition to third-party intervention in the SinoJapanese conflict, but the attitude toward approaches by foreign Powers is held to be another matter, says the Dome! news agency.

Official circles contend tjiat China must first, be advised by foreign Powers tq abandon her anti-Japanese policy.