NEW LANDING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 11

NEW LANDING

Japanese Threat To Hangchow AMOY BOMBARDED Chinese In South Shanghai Cut Off FIERCE ATTACK ON NANTAO By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyright. (Received November 11, 8.20 p.m.) Shanghai, November 11. A new Japanese landing on the south side of Hangchow Bay is reported from Chinese sources, which state that 34 transports capable of holding 50,000 troops were seen in the bay. At least half of these troops are reported to have landed and to be threatening Hangchow. It is stated six Japanese warships bombarded Amoy for five hours. The Japanese claim that the troops which advanced from the northern side of Hangchow Bay have made contact with the Japanese near Shanghai, cutting off the Chinese in South Shanghai. Shanghai had another alarm lasting throughout the day and night when Japanese howitzer shells aimed at Nantao screamed over the International Settlement from the north. The navy joined in and two destroyers steaming up Whangpoo River exchanged ma-chine-gun lire with the Chinese forces. Snipers were taking part from Pootung, particularly intensively when sailors from Japanese naval launches stole up in the darkness. The Italian cruiser Monte Cuccoli was peppered with bullets when she came into the line of fire, while the Chinese troops at Nantao were attempting to drive off a Japanese gunboat approaching the boom across the river in order to destroy it. They encountered fierce machine-gun bursts, to which they replied. Bullets rained on the decks of the Italian cruiser, forcing the crew to seek shelter below. The commander from the bridge demanded by megaphone that the firing should cease, but it failed to stop. The battle continued sporadically.

Coolies working on the British freighter Taksang, which is berthed, at the French Bund, deserted during the bombing. Officers aboard watched bombs loosed almost directly overhead crash on their targets a hundred yards away. With the Japanese virtually masters of Shanghai, there are many indications that they will be less considerate toward British, French and American wishes. They are not disposed to allow owners to visit their homes in the Hungjao area, although the Chinese positions have been removed many miles westward. The “Dome!” News Agency at Tokio says that Japan has given an assurance to respect fully the vested interests of other Powers in China. A million people are homeless in Shanghai and face starvation. Another million are on .the verge of ruin in the Shantung Province as the result of the worst floods for half a, century. They have caused breaches in the dykes along the Yellow River, which has inundated a fifth of the province. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners and Chinese are watching the attack on Nantao. The decks of British and American warships are crowded with officers and men who have a grandstand view of the battle less than half a mile away. The Chinese defenders are pouring Ineffective machinegun fire Into the sky and gnu crews are busy returning the shell fire. Thousands of inhabitants of Nantao are beating frantically at the gates of the French concession.

The Foreign Office/spokesman at Tokio declared that the victory at Shanghai demonstrated that the Chinese were unable to.stand up against Japan. The isolation 'of Shanghai possibly would seal the fate of the Nanking Government. The newspapers, however, forecast the possibility of a long war, with a chance of hostilities against Russia.

CHINESE OBJECTIVE Recapture Of Tientsin And Peking (Received November 11, 8.30 p.m.) Shanghai, November 11. The Chinese claim that the Twentyninth Army has been reorganised south of Peking and has started to counterattack with the object of recapturing Peking and Tientsin. More immediately important is the railway junction of Ohichlachung, the capture of which would cut off the Japanese in the Talyung area from their sources of supply, thereby placing them between the Communist army north of Nanking and the troops in the south, each flanking long lines of communications. Japanese military authorities at Peking state that 2G foreigners in Taiyuan, including the Baptist missionaries, are safe. MEETING ADJOURNED Conference At Brussels .British Olilcial Wireless.) Rugby, November 10. The conference at Brussels with a view to seeking a solution of the Far Eastern crisis, according to news telegrams, met to-day and adjourned until Saturday, when the Japanese reply to the chairman’s message is expected. At to-day's session the delegates paid tributes to the late Mr. Ramsay MasDonald.

STUDENTS REBUKED Protest At Destruction Of Universities (Received November 11, 10.45 p.m.) Brussels, November 11. Belgian students drew up a petition against, the destruction of Chinese universities. The secretary to the Japanese Ambassador, to whom the protest was conveyed, told members of the deputation that Japan collaborated in many works of science and knowledge and was proud of her sacred mission to safeguard Eastern civilisation. It was therefore disgraceful and ridiculous to suggest that Japan engaged in

the systematic destruction of universities.

With so many conflicts and disagreements in Europe at the present time it would be better if the students devoted their attention to these troubles. The Sino-Japanese conflict concerned only the Far East. The assistance of students was not needed to solve it.

DEFENCE OF NANTAO Chinese Determined To Hold Out To Last The following cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul in Wellington from Nanking on Wednesday night:— “To avoid unnecessary sacrifice of lives, the Chinese troops defending the sector from Chuangshan Road to Tientoo along the Soochow Creek were ordered to take up a new line farther south. The withdrawal was carried out smoothly before daybreak, an'd the Japanese troops were unaware until the movement was well under way. Nanziang is the starting-point of the new line. The Chinese force now defending Nantao is determined to hold out to the last man. All bridges giving access to Nantao from the south have been destroyed. “Chinese detachments recaptured Kuanchuang railway station on the Peiping-Hankow line to J day in a move designed to cut off the rear of the Japanese forces and harass their advance units at Changteb, in northern Honan. Moving rapidly into southern Hopei, the Chinese detachments captured Nanho, Chiulo, and Shanteh stations.’’