CHINA’S STAND

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1937, Page 5

CHINA’S STAND

CALL FOR MEN Japanese Defeat Claimed INVADING PLANES ACTIVE. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l SHANGHAI, August 17. The Japanese to-day, bombed the Chinese section of the Bund, and resumed the bombardment and bombing of Pootung. It is believed that they silenced the Chinese guns which have been bombarding the Japanese positions at Hongkew across the river. LATER. Swelve Japanese planes bombed the Chapei for an hour. Japanese aircraft also raided the junction of the Shanghai-Nanking and Shanghai-Hangchow railways, two strategic points and started fires, theChinese effectually retaliating with machine-guns.

- MILITARY POSITION. I UNCHANGED IN SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, August 17. Monday night passed quietly, with only one fire, not extinguished. Despite the pandemonium of bombing the environs of Shanghai, the relative military position of the Chinese and Japanese forces is unchanged. JAPANESE FLAGSHIP. DAMAGE ADMITTED. SHANGHAI, August 17. 'The Chinese claim that the Idzumo was badly damaged by the motorboat’s torpedo, also that Chinese air bombs set lire to two Japanese warships. The Japanese admit that the Idzumo was damaged (by torpedoes) but she is still using her guns. CHINESE PLANES ACTIVE. SHANGHAI. August 17. Chinese planes continue to attack Hongkew, where Japanese residents are massed, also Yangtsepo, where large Japanese cotton mills are situated. In view of this, the settlement police force evacuated this area. A LYNCHING. SHANGHAI, August 17. A Chinese mob lynched a civilian Japanese near Sassoon House, because they believed he was carrying poison. Chinese Law FOR NATIONAL MOBILISATION. (Received August 18, 11.10 p.m.) NANKING, August 18. The Chinese Legislative Council has adopted a law for a “National Mobilisation,’ which has been submitted to the Government for promulgation.

Nankow Battle BIG JAPANESE DEFEAT. CLAIMED BY CHINESE. (Received August 18, 11.10 p.m.) NANKING, August 18. Marshal Chiang Kai Shek’s headquarters announce that Chinese forces defending Nankow have overwhelmingly defeated Japanese forces, killing live thousand. The Chinese casualties arc put at 1500 killed. TOKIO, August 17. A message from Shanghai states that the Japanese Consulate General there was reduced to ruins by Chinese bombs, but the officials refuse “to quit. P. AND 0. LINERS. CUT OUT SHANGHAI. LONDON, August 18. The P. and O. Coy. have decided to discontinue their callings at Shanghai for the time being. The cargo destined for Shanghai will be discharged at Hong Kong. EVACUATION OF AMERICANS 3,800 PROVIDED FOR (Received August 18 at 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 17. President Roosevelt has asked a Congressional appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars for the evacuation of thirty-eight hundred Americans from Shanghai. EXODUS OF EUROPEANS. SHANGHAI, August 17. While the Chinese were furiously attacking the Japanese, 15 Britons were marooned for three hours, under fire, at the Foreign Settlement Police Station, in north-eastern Shanghai. The police arranged for their safe conduct through the Japanese lines, before yielding ground to the Japanese. Martial activities definitely accelerate the pace of English, American and other evacuations. Dutch and Hungarians numbering 130, departed for Manila and Batavia, and Danes for Hong Ko’ng. All the outgoing Japanese ships are crowded with Japanese subjects. The second battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers disembarked at Woosung from the Maron and from the destroyer Delight. The Maron also brought half a million dollars worth of banknotes, rushed from Hong Kong, owing to the closure of banks creating a demand for cash. All the banks have re-opened, in temporary premises away from the Bund. The American destroyer Perry is due to-day to supplement other American warships, evacuating nationals. food shortage. SHANGHAI, August 17. The city faces the prospect of acute food shortage. Hotels and restaurants are curtailing menus. The stoppage of gas is compelling thousands to use charcoal or to eat cold meals. IN NORTH CHINA. CHINESE FORCES INCREASE. _ SHANGHAI, August 17. ' Thirty thousand fresh Japanese troops arrived in North China, bring-

ing the total to 80,000. This was th original theatre of Japanese opera tions in China, before she was le< into the Shanghai adventure by hast; action on the part of the navy. TOKIO, August 17. Cabinet again met this morning M. Sugiyama reporting that Chines, Central Government troops were con tinuing to advance in North China The main body was concentrated a Paoting and Tsangchow. JAPANESE WAR PLANS. TOKIO, August 17. Cabinet fixed September 3 for th( re-assembly of the Diet, when meas : I ures will be submitted for placing the ■ country on a war footing. : A CHINESE APPEAL... t ! VIENNA, August 17. Warning Europe and the United States of the menace of Japan, DoctOi Kung (Chinese Finance Minister? • appealed to the nations to act immediately in their own interests. “Europe and the United States seen: to think by ignoring the danger, it 1 will gradually disappear. Japan, with “ mad greed, is a menace to the world. The downfall of China would enhance the menace of brutal force.” Soviet Chiefs Neutral MOSCOW PRESS CLAIM. JAPANESE SURPRISED. LONDON, August 18. Although the Soviet chiefs are maintaining a neutral attitude regarding the Sino-Japanese conflict, the Moscow press does not attempt to conceal where their sympathies lie. The ’ Izvestia” has published a cartoon showing a little Jap officer trying to ride a giant Chinese coolie and getting an unexpected punch on the nose. It is claimed also, that Chinese masses are in a new fighting mood, and that this with the quality and quantity of the Nanking Government’s new armaments, has surprised Japan. But no prophecies are made about the outcome of the conflict. The Soviet will only intervene in the conflict if the Japanese should attempt to invade Mongolia, with which Moscow has a mutual assistance pact. Moscow believes that Outer Mongolia is the strategic key to the entire Far East, and that, therefore, it will be Japan s ultimate objective some day. America’s Attitude NEUTRALITY INDICATED. (Received August 18, 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 17. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, has issued a statement intimating that President Roosevelt is ready, if necessary to declare America’s neutrality within 24 hours, but he does not consider the case of the Chinese was in parallel to that of Ethiopia, where the United States promptly de-

clared that a state of war existed. Senator Hull carefully indicated, that he does not subscribe to the theory that American sovereignty follows American nationals or their property anywhere in the world, but he also said tha tthe United States cannot allow certain nations to believe that American nationals can be ill-treated or insulted with impunity. U.S.A. SYMPATHY NEW YORK, August 18.

“The Times” Washington correspondent stresses that Senator Hull, consciously or unconsciously, showed sympathy with China’s-efforts to build up a stable Government. London Views NO INTERVENTION LIKELY. I LONDON, August 17. Shanghai messages report that the influence of the British and other Government is still being directed towards securing an agreement of the parties to a plan for the cessation of attacks and the separation of forces. The defence of their nationals in the foreign settlements at Shanghai is the concern of all Government, but it does not appear that the Shanghai residents were in any danger before the landing of Japanese reinforcements, and it is far from clear, in the estimation of observers in London, whether ideas of military prestige or the safely of their nationals come first, as the motive of the present Japanese action. Mr Eden and Lord Halifax were in close consultation this morning, with permanent officials at the Foreign Office, on the grave ■situation in the Far East. This afternoon, they discussed the latest developments at Shanghai, and the measures being taken for the protection of British lives and interests, with their Cabinet colleagues. The Ministers who met at the Foreign Office with Mr Eden and Lord Halifax were Messrs Duff Cooper, Hore Belisha and Armsby Gore. The Ministers were together for about two hours, and gave consideration to all possible steps which might be taken ’to ensure a peaceful outcome from the tension at Shanghai. They also decided to take all possible measures to protect the safety of British citizens in the International Settlement and to secure British interests there. Stock markets, as the wags declare are “Shanghaied” but the City is disinclined to take the situation tragically, and does not consider there is the slightest prospect of the European Powers being embroiled. The “Financial News” points out that if the war is confined to the Far East, the net effect should be bullish rather than bearish and send up commodities and transfer much Chinese trade from Japan to Britain. Opinion in Whitehall agrees with the City that an extension of the conflict is improbable, but considers there is a real danger of a majoi Sino-Japanese war. The Japanese militarists now apparently command events. The civil power in Japan seems helpless. BRITISH NAVAL FORCES IN FAR EAST. [British Official Wireless]. RUGBY, August 17. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Little, Commander in charge of the China Station, who is now at Shanghai is responsible for the co-ordination of the British forces in China. The disposition of the British Naval vessels in China waters is as follows: At Shanghai, the cruiser Cumberland, flagship of Vice-Admiral Little; the