CHINESE COUNTER ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 21035, 24 February 1932, Page 9

CHINESE COUNTER ATTACK

JAPANESE LINES BOMBARDED SEVERE FIGHTING NEAR SETTLEMENT CONSIDERABLE SLAUGHTER ON BOTH SIDES Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SHANGHAI, February 23. The Chinese defending Chapei developed a heavy counter-attack last night and commenced a bombardment of the Japanese! lines of unprecedented severity which, with the Japanese reply, shook Shanghai throughout the night. More fires were caused, and the scene of the fighting has been brought nearer the settlement. Leaving their trenches, the Chinese strongly attacked the Japanese lines, and were met with a withering machinegun fire, but only after an hour’s severe fighting were the Chinese repulsed at 5 a.m. There was considerable slaughter on both sides. At 10 o’clock in the morning the Japanese completely destroyed Hungjao aerodrome, five miles west of Shanghai, and set fire to large stores of gasoline. All the buildings are at present in flames. Chinese planes have been harassing Japanese planes, which have thus been removed from a Chinese advanced base. HEAVY FIGHTING AT KIANGWAN STUBBORN RESISTANCE BY CHINESE AMERICAN AVIATOR SHOT DOWN. SHANGHAI, February 23. (Received February 24, at 10.30 a.ra.), Kiangwan witnessed heavy fighting this morning. The Japanese advanced their lines a short distance, but met with stubborn Chinese defence. The Japanese are retiring and are awaiting an artillery bombardment to destroy the Chinese elaborate trench system before making further infantry attacks. It is revealed that enormous damage was wrought by yesterday’s Chinese bombardment. Scarcely a house in Dixwell road and the North Szechuen area escaped, where whole terraces were destroyed. The havoc is only excelled by the Chapei ruins just across the boundary. Chapei is quiet. Commander Shen, chief of the Chinese aviation forces at Shanghai, reported that Robert Short, an American aviator employed by an American aircraft firm, was shot down by Japanese planes while flying over Soochow. The Japanese spokesman admitted that a Japanese plane attacked the plane over Soochow and engaged in a machinegun duel, ending in disaster to the plane, which they describe as Chinese, refusing to admit or acknowledge that it contained an American aviator. It is believed that Short, who was entrusted with the delivery of a fighting plane to the Nanking Government, stopped at Soochow and offered his services to the Chinese. He then attacked three Japanese planes, with disastrous results. JAPANESE SHANGHAI ARMY TO BE DOUBLED IN STRENGTH TOKIO, February 23. (Received February 24, at 10.30 a.m.) Japan has decided to double the strength of the Shanghai army. AUTHORITY OF THE LEAGUE BRITAIN'S FAITH UNSHAKEN LONDON, February 23. In the House of Commons, in response to Mr G. Lansbury’s request, Sir John Simon reviewed the position at Shanghai. He declared his Government’s conviction that only by affirming with boldness and sincerity the principles of the League “ shall we find the best means of restoring peace. The time may soon come when the moral authority of the League will be seen in the exercise of its influence.” He said it was absolutely untrue that there was any secret compact or understanding on the part of any of the great Powers to encourage Japan in her action. Mr Neville Chamberlain said he was sure it would be unwise to show preference until the League’s investigation ended and its report was received. AMERICA'S POLICY EMPHASIS ON " THE OPEN DOOR ”■ .WASHINGTON, February 22. Following Admiral Taylor’s advice to the Navy Department that portions of General Chiang Kai-shek’s forces had appeared ’ for the first time in action against the Japanese, it is reported that Mr Stimson is contemplating a restatement of the American Far East policy, with emphasis on the open door. However, no official light has yet been cast upon whether the Government, if the League so requested, would ask the Congress to support an economic boycott of Japan. A Congressional Act would be required for such procedure. It is impossible to determine now how the Congress as a whole might regard such a proposal, but it is interesting to note that the House of Representatives to-day gave a spontaneous ovation to the Chinese Charge d’Affaires 1

(Dr Yen), who seemed surprised at the unusual demonstration, hesitated, and bowed slightly.' It is believed that Mr Stimson will await further representations until the League has had an opportunity to act. Moreover, Mr Yoshizawa’s statement of foreign policy is considered important, and is interpreted as an expression of the Japanese desire for the Powers to delay measures until Japan is able to consolidate her position. NO POSSIBILITY OF BOYCOTT WASHINGTON, 'February 23. (Received February 24, at 12.5 p.m.) Senator Moses, an influential senator, says that there is no possibility of the United States declaring an economic boycott against Japan. BRITAIN MUST NOT BE INVOLVED LONDON, February 23. (Received February 23, at 12.5 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Herald ’ says: It is clear that Sir John Simon has returned to Geneva with Cabinet’s latest word that Article 16 must not be invoked and that Britain must not be involved in war.' Sir. Granville Ryrie (Australian High Commissioner) has been ordered to return to Geneva on April 1 to attend the Assembly, when the SinoJapanese question will be discussed. He told the ‘ Sun-Herald ’ that there was tremendous confusion at Geneva. Nobody knew what was going to hap-