LULL AT SHANGHAI

Evening Star, Issue 22773, 7 October 1937, Page 11

LULL AT SHANGHAI

“mo BAYS’ HOLIDAY” JAPANESE CLEANING CP TRENCHES SIX PLANES IMS NANKING Pres* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, October 6. “ The war has been going on for a long time, so we are taking two days holiday and resting,” said the Japanese Spokesman, explaining the inactivity on the front, where the push is at a standstill. The Japanese are cleaning up trenches, repairing bridges • across creeks, and strengthening communications. In a heavy drizzle 30 planes continue to strafe the Chinese lines. Six planes bombed Nanknig, and one was . brought down in flames by anti-air-craft fire. The dhinesd officials her© are jubilant over President Roosevelt’s speech. PRESS ATTACK ON BRITAIN AMNSEN IF HELPING CHINA TOKIO, October 6. The Japanese Press is launching a hitter attack on Britain, who is accused of assisting Nanking with aeroplanes, which are being jat Hongkong, from where they are flown ' to Canton by British-trained Chinese ipilots. , The * Asahi Shimbun ’ also alleges that Britain is aiding China to restore the, Hongkong-Hankbw raiiway, and as a result the Chines© are . importing a large quantity of antiaircraft guns,, machine guns, and trench mortars. Britain is thereby ' . contributing to the prolongation of ' hostilities and encouraging China’s resistance. 60VERNM OF SHANTUNG OIWTB AS TO LIYALTY BEHOVED SHANGHAI, October 5. General Han Fuchu, Governor of Shantung, who removed doubts of 4 ’' bis loyalty to China ■by leading his own soldiers into battle, issued a decree imposing the death penalty on all troops who, without authority, withdraw from Shantung. . v MEMfiAL/ASSISTANCE , ANONYMOttS .DONOK’S OFFER . ■ LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 8 a.m.) An- 'anonymous donor has offered to ■ assist the medical work of the Presbyterian and' Church of England missionaries in . the war-stricken areas of China; The donor also promised to provide 100 gross of bandages and supplies of iodine. THE BRITISH CABINET (British Official Wireless.).' ’ ’ RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at noon.) , It is assumed that one, of the matters for discussion at to-day’s Cabinet meeting is Mr Attlee’s request for the ; earlier reassembly of Parliament to . discuss the situation in China. JAPAN'S AIMS AHTONMONG GOVERNMENT IN NORTH CHINA , , TOKIO, October 6. (Received October 7, at noon.) Newspaper comment indicates that , Japan’s reply to foreign criticisms will be the establishment of- an autonomous ' regime in North China, as a “ corner- ■ stone for the : stabilisation of the Far 1 East.”AIR RAIDS IN SHANTUNG CHINESE ATTACK ON SHANGHAI FRONT SHANGHAI, October 6. (Received October' 7,' at 1.25 p.m.) Sixty-six Japanese planes bombed cities and towns and scores of villages in Shantung. . Thirty-three aircraft carried out a four hours’ raid on the Canton-Han-kdw railway, the longest since hostilities began in South China. The frequency of the raids on this railway caused a British request to be made ‘ to the Chinese and Japanese for the sdfe passage of the majority of officers and 250 of the crew of the cruiser Cape Town, who are travelling by a special train to Canton, en route home, as the cruiser is marooned in the Yangtae River by the Chinese boom installed op- ' posite the Kiangyih forts. The Cape Town remains under the captain and a

skeleton crew sufficient for navigation when the Yangtse is reopened. The Chinese frustrated the Japanese intention of a quiet day by attacking on all sectors on the Shanghai front, producing severe fighting. The Japanese again crossed the Woosung Creek. The Chinese repulsed a Japanese marines’ attack, which was led by six tanks, in Chapei, killing 100. The Japanese bombed a village, which they alleged was harbouring troops, killing 30 and wounding 100 non-com-batants. INMAN BOYCOTT THREAT ALARM IN TfKIO CALCUTTA, October 6. (Received October 7, at H a.m.) The Japanese Consul-General has left for Tokio in response to an urgent cable to consult the Government on measures for avoiding an Indian boycott. Indignation throughout India is growing, causing the gravest anxiety, in Japan. s . CHINESE EXECUTED CUTTING MILITARY WIRES ' . ' PEKING, October 6. : ; (Received October 1, at 2 p.m.) An indication of the Japanese problems is contained in the announcement. that. 16 Chinese were executed for cutting military telephone wires in. ■North Chinn; - __ The Japanese, after the capture of Chungsien, are pursuing 10,000 Chines© across the plain towards Taiynan. FOREIGNERS AT CANTON APPEAL TO BRITAIN AND AMERICA LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 2 p.m.) The Hongkong correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that at Canton foreigners have organised a “committee for justice towards China,” and have issued pamphlets .urging united action.by England and American for an economic boycott of Japan, aid towards China, an immediate meeting of the signatories to the Nine-Power Treaty, and contributions for the relief of Chinese sufferers from air raids. JAPAN BRANDED AG AGGRESSOR FORMAL STATEMENT BY WASHINGTON WASHINGTON. October 6. (Received October 7, at 1.50 p.m.) The State Department, in a formal statement, branded Japan as the aggressor nation in t an undeclared war against China and charged her with violation of the Nine-Power, Briand, and Kellogg Pacts as it “ has been forced to the conclusion that the action of Japan is inconsistent with the principle which should govern relation* ships between nations.” Official circles feel that the United States has thus.given full and prompt support to the League of Nations and fulfilled the implied promise made by President Roosevelt yesterday that he would support concerted action against threats to the peace of the world.

HAND TO HAND FIGHTING JAPANESE REPULSED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 7. The following Nanking cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul Despite the severest fighting, the Chinese lines remain intact. At Chapei, hand-to-hand fighting repeatedly drove back the Japanese. Japanese tanks were repulsed by Chinese machine gunners and infantry, who leapt into the midst of the attackers and threw hand grenades with telling effect. The Chinese followed up by counter at; tacks. The Japanese bombed Chapei and Wuhu, but their attempt to bomb Nanking failed.