THREAT TO HANGCHOW

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 9

THREAT TO HANGCHOW

NEW JAPANESE LANDING

AMOY BOMBARDED FOR FIVE HOURS CHINESE REORGANISE SOUTH OF PEKING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright 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 men were seen at the bay. At 'east half of these troops'are reported.to have landed and to be threatening Hangchow. It is stated that 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.

The Chinese claim that the twentyninth army has been reorganised south of Peking and lias started a counterattack with the object of recapturing Peking and Tientsin. More immediately important is the railway junction at Chichiachung, the capture of which would cut off the Japanese in the Taiyuan 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. “HOT SPOTS” IN SHANGHAI. Shanghai had another alarm, lasting throughout the day and the night, when Japanese howitzer shells aimed at Nantao screamed over the Settlement from the north. The navy joined in, and! two destroyers steaming up the Whangpoo River exchanged machinegun fire with the Chinese forces. Snipers were taking part from Pootung, the sniping being particularly intensive when sailors from the Japanese naval launches stole up in the darkness. The Italian cruiser Honte Cuccoli was peppered with bullets when she came into the line of fire, while Chinese troops at Nantao attempted to drive off a Japanese gunboat which was approaching a 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 he failed to stop the battle. Firing continued sporadically. Coolies working the British freighter Taksang, which was berthed at the French hund, deserted during the bombing. Officers aboard watched bombs loosed almost directly overhead crash on their targets 100 yards away, JAPANESE AS VIRTUAL MASTERS LESS CONSIDERATION FOR FOREIGNERS. SHANGHAI, November 11. With the Japanese virtually masters of Shanghai, there are many indications that they are less considerate towards 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. FLOODS IN SHANTUNG WORST FOR HALF A CENTURY. TOKIO, November 11. The Domex News Agency says Japan has given an assurance in respect of the fully vested interests of the Powers in China. One million are homeless in Shanghai and face starvation, while another million are on the verge of ruin in the Shantung province as the result of the worst floods for half a century, which were caused by breaches in the dykes of the Yellow River, which inundated one-fifth of the province. BRITISH CORRESPONDENT KILLED WAS WATCHING FIGHT FROM WATER TOWER. SHANGHAI, November 11. Mr Pembroke Stephens, the 4 Daily Telegraph ’ correspondent, who was observing the fighting at Nantao from a water tower in the French concession, was killed by a sudden burst from a machine gun. Mr Stephens was hit twice. Two Russians were badly wounded. He is greatly mourned, being regarded as the most intrepid correspondent in the war zone. His big yellow two-seater car was widely known. COLOURFUL CAREER LONDON, November 11. (Received November 12, at 12.15 p.m.) Mr Pembroke Stephens was the son of the late Mr Pembroke Stephens, K.C. He was called to the Bar after leaving Cambridge University, and later went into films. He there joined the League of Nations Secretariat, after which he entered journalism. He was the correspondent of the ‘ Daily Express ’ at Vienna. He then went to Berlin, where he was arrested, and from where he was expelled in 1934 on account of his reports. Later he became the correspondent of the ‘ Express ’ in Paris, after which he joined the ‘ Daily Telegraph.’ JAPANESE VERSION SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at 12.20 p.m.) Mr Stephens at the outset tried to signal that they were non-combatants. The Japanese interpreted the signals as being meant for the Chinese, and

fired from 300yds. Mr Stephens was riddled with bullets. He Jay for 45 minutes before it was safe to go to him.

A Japanese spokesman declared that machine guns were fired by Chinese snipers, and that stray bullets killed Mr Stephens. Personally, he regretted the correspondent’s untimely end. REBUFF FOR BELGIAN STUDENTS JAPAN’S REPLY TO PROTEST.. 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, to# the members of the deputation that Japan collaborated 1 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 was engaged in systematic destruction of universities. With so many conflicts and disagreements in Europe at the present time, it would be better if students devoted attention to these troubles. The SinoJapanese conflict concerned only the Far East, and the assistance of students was not needed to solve it. THREE CHINESE PLANES DESTROYED TOKIO, November 11. (Received November 12, at 11 a.m.) Three Chinese aeroplanes, assumed to be en rout© to bomb Japan, were destroyed well, out to sea. HUfiE FIRES STARTED SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at 8 a.m.) The Japanese bombardment of Nantao started huge fires. Two destroyers are pounding waterfront property. MASTER OF SHANGHAI JAPANESE COMMANDER’S STATEMENT. NOT CONCERNED WITH RIGHTS OF OTHER POWERS. SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at noon.) The Japanese commander (General I wane Matsui) announces in effect that he is now master of Shanghai and feels free to take any steps that may bo dictated by military necessity. Regarding the International settlement, whose authorities, ho says, are pro-Chinese, he is unable to accept responsibility for the protection of the rights and interests of the various Powers concerned at Shanghai General Matsui expressed tho opinion that the war might last five, years, as Chiang Kai-shek predicted. SHANGHAI AND NANKING COMMUNICATIONS SEVERED. TOKIO, November 11. (Received November 12, at noon.) The Japanese advanced 30 miles from Taiyuanfu. The War Office announces that the communications between Shanghai and Nanking have been severed. ” SUICIDE SNIPERS HEROIC RESISTANCE. SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at 1 p.m.) The “ suicide snipers ” took a heavy toll of the attackers, hut did not pre--vent the rout of the others, who, as they broke and ran, were chased by Japanese tanks almost into the barbed wire which the French had strung across the bridges leading to the French concession. French troops guarding the border of the concession ducked and took cover as the tanks fired on the fugitives, but at the first lull troops and police dashed out to drag the Chinese over the wire to safety.

Chinese warriors in plain clothes fought off tho-.advancers, who paid heavily for tho gains. At ©very street corner “ suicide snipers,” after a most stiff resistance, fled to the nearest houses on the approach of the tanks, whereupon the Japanese set fir© to the buildings to permit the advance to continue.

Foreign observers believe that the main body of Chinese is falling back and that the next stand will be in the region of Soochow Lake, but it is possible that the Japanese, having cleared out the Chinese in the immediate vicinity of Shanghai, may not pursue further.

Foreign circles are expressing apprehension at the ruthless mopping up by the Japanese, accompanied by threats of action against anyone who dares to interfere. NANTAO A SHAMBLES PLANES WREAK HAVOC. SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at 1 p.m.) Apart from a few “ suicide snipers ” valiantly making a last stand, the Chinese completed the evacuation of Nantao when those beleagured entered the French concession. After day-long bombing and shelling the Japanese are virtual masters of Nantao, the last Chinese foothold in Shanghai. From roofs in the Settlement awed spectators watched bricks and timbers flying towards the sky as planes made power dives almost vertically and loosed loads of bombs, rocking the whole city. Tho Chinese stubbornly kept on replying with a hail of machine gun fire.

One bomb landed on the French bund, killing six Annamite Guards and wounding two French soldiers patrolling the creek.

Less than three quarters of a, mile

from file shambles at Nantoo fresh wreaths lie at the base of the war memorial on the bund. The column of stone is surmounted with the Angel of Peace, standing out starkly against the clouds of smoke and testifying to the ghastliness of the nearby destruction. At nightfall blazing junks from the river boom and other fires on the land lit up Nantao and Pootung, where Japanese flags are everywhere flying. MEDICAL SUPPLIES FROM BRITAIN

FIRST CONSIGNMENT DESPATCHED.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, November 11. (Received November 12, at 11.30 a.m.) The first consignment of medical supplies despatched to China by the Lord Mayor’s fund weighed over 21 tons. It consisted of drugs, medicines, and anaesthetics, and was collected in record time. The special dispensing container for the anaesthetics was designed and manufactured in four days. The Lord Mayor’s fund for tho relief of distress in China has now reached £70,000. CAPTURE OF TSINGPU CLAIMED SHANGHAI, November 11, (Received November 12, at 1.20 p.m.) The Japanese military spokesman announced : “ We have captured Tsingpu. The Chinese force was completely routed and is fleeing towards the west from Tsingpu.” If this is confirmed it is of great importance, for Tsingpu lies in the centre of the lino to which the Chinese have been reported to be retiring for a new stand. Heavy fighting is reported from Sunkiang, which is expected to form the new extreme right of the Chinese defence lines. PROBLEM FOR FRENCH POLICE SHANGHAI, November 11. (Received November 12, at 1.20 p.m.) The French police had difficulty in interning the Chinese soldiers who took sanctuary in the Concession, overcrowding the concentration camps which had been prepared. Two thousand eight hundred were disarmed to-night.