FIGHTING EASES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 106, 29 January 1938, Page 11

FIGHTING EASES

Quiet Interlude On Chinese Fronts SHANGHAI OUTRAGES « Shanghai, January 27. There is scarcely a word of fighting on any front. The Chinese claim to have repulsed a Japanese attempt to land at Hasmaoshan, on the south shore of Hangchow Bay, and also an attempt to cross the Tsientang River. The Chinese admit the loss of Yingchow, in North Shansi. It is reported that the authorities in Tokio have turned down the appeal for reinforcements by the Japanese Commander-in-Chief, General Matsui, because “no troops can be spared in view of other possible contingencies.” Tokio is also reported t.o be demanding an explanation of the hold-up of the advance. Terrorist outrages, apart from five armed robberies involving the shooting dead of a Chinese gunman, con sisted of the throwing of handgrenades in four different establishments by persons suspected of Japanese sympathies. One-servant was injured. The Japanese naval spokesman announced that Japanese planes raided Nanchang and destroyed 203 planes on the ground and shot down seven of 14 Russian-built aeroplanes in combat. The Japanese authorities threaten merciless punishment of soldiers and sailors whose conduct tends to dishonour Japan and her armed forces. This is welcomed as the first publiclyannounced counter-measure against misbehaviour.

AMERICAN PROTEST Looting By Japanese Troops (Received January 28, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 27. The .State Department has revealed that Mr. J. C. Grew, Ambassador at Tokio, is protesting against the continued looting of American property in China by Japanese regular troops. He questioned the good faith of Japanese assurances on which the Panay settlement was based. Mr. Grew, citing numerous instances of Japanese depredations, said: “My Government finds it impossible to reconcile the flagrant disregard of American rights with the assurances in the Note of December 24.” A Shanghai message states that a Japanese sentry at Nanking assaulted Mr. Allison, Third Secretary at the United States Embassy. The Japanese authorities apologised for the assault and warned nationals to avoid besmirching Japan’s good name. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says increasing irritation is felt by American officials over continued outrages against Americans. There is much questioning whether it is a result of a breakdown of discipline or a'policy of studied terrorism intended to frighten foreigners £r<fm China. It is believed that Britain lodged a similar protest at Tokio.

Officials fear some incident of major proportions may arise momentarily, involving substantial loss of American life with a resultant rise of popular indignation in America. They hope that continued protests, only a small part of which have been published, may operate to halt the apparently unrsstrained activities of Japanese soldiers before something of the kind occurs. BOMBING ALARM Japanese Ships Guarded At San Francisco (Received January 28, 10.5 p.m.) San Francisco, January 27. Federal authorities heavily guarded Japanese ships in the docks, ostensibly after receiving warning that the Talyo Maru would be bombed. All approaches to the pier were closed and five coastguard cutters patrolled the waters of the bay in the vicinity of Japanese vessels loading cargoes of cotton and other supplies for Japan. JAPANESE DEMAND Copies Of Private Cable Codes Shanghai, January 27. Foreign firms are amazed and indignant at orders by the Japanese cen-. sors for the lodging with them of private cable codes, in order to safeguard leakage of military information. British business men assert that nothing will induce them to comply. ANOTHER JAPANESE SHIP BOYCOTTED Watersiders At Sydney Sydney, January 28. Another Japanese ship, the Canberra Maru, is now boycotted by wharf labourers, who refpse to load flour, lead, and tin clippings, The gangs still refuse to load the Atsuta Maru. The Federal Cabinet is watching the position.