CHINA & JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1937, Page 5

CHINA & JAPAN

JAPANESE HALTED

A DETERMINED RESISTANCE.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

SHANGHAI, August 26

Fighting with extraordinary determination/ the Chinese have brought the Japanese drive towards Shanghai to a standstill.

Tlie Chinese are forcing the attackers fiercely to contest every inch of ground. The possibility of the invasion of the International Settlement in Shanghai by either army is now considered to be remoter.

All the places of amusement have been closed in the Settlement. Curfew has been forced between ten p.m. and dawn- but the arrival therein of British and other troops is having a calm, ing effect. Most of the firms in the Settlement have re-opened.-Independent observers express the opinion that the Japanese* pressure, especially that from warships, is too . strong. The < most disturbing feature, from the international standpoint, is the Japanese blockade, which the Ad- . miralty describes in a Japanese stock phrase, as “a measure of self defence.”

The Japanese Admiralty adds that foreign ships are now liable to be boarded so as to ascertain their true nationality. It is feared the blockade wilL seriously injure British traders and other traders.

The Japanese claim to he continuing the advance west of N’ankow, while another force is rapidly moving with the object of taking the Chinese in 'the rear of-Naiikow Pass. ~

The Japanese ‘ claim to v have entered .Kalgan. They state they have advanced also along the Pekin-Hank’ow railway. -

LANDING Ob’ JAPANESE

, SHANGHAI, August 25

The Japanese early • to-day began tin. landing of troops to reinforce their strength, at Shanghai. The position in the pity, to-night, is that the Japanese landing in force is‘ not yet completed. ■

JAPANESE CLAIM

TOKIO, August 25.

■ It is claimed by the Japanese that they” advanced on the whole length of the Shanghai front.

CHINESE LOSSES

SHANGHAI, August 25.

British military *> experts estimate that the Chinese lost 7000 to 11,000 killed and wounded in the fighting at Shanghai, excluding thousands of civilian casualties through air raids and naval bombardments.

THE JAPANESE BLOCKADE

SHANGHAI”, August 26. Admiral 5 Hasegawa’s... blockade against Chinese shipping, from Sha«gliai to a point near Hongkong, applies to both Chinese Government and private shipping, hut foreign shipping is exempt from it. The Chinese claim to have sunk two Japanese destroyers, but confirmation from neutral sources is not available.

A NEW DANGER

SHANGHAI, August 25

■The danger of the retreating Chinese- attempting to storm the barricades of the International Settlement is becoming graver. Artillery is arriving from Hongkong. Ail measures are prepared to resist ah attack, and to evacuate the Settlement as a lf«st resort. An inventory has been taken of property, business and personal, in the event of the necessity for claiming

damages. Million's of dollars have been sent to Hongkong from all parts of China for safe keeping.

BRITISH MINISTERS CONFER

CO-OPER’ATION WITH ' U.S.A.

RUGBY, August 25. The Prime Minister returned to London. from Deeside, northern Scotland, where he has been on a fishing‘holiday. He was visited at Downing' Street by the Foreign Secretary and Lord Privy Seal, and the: three Ministers conferred on the situation at Shanghai, and the incidents which ‘ occurred ■ hi the Mediterranean in recent weeks.' Mr'Chamberlain has returned to Scotland. It may be taken for granted that the British Government fully shares the of the United ‘States Government as to the daiiger of Far Eastern relations generally, and that it welcomes Mr Cordell Hull’s appeal to botn sides to cease hostilities.-• 'lt was a cause of satisfaction that close collaboration had been maintained with other Governments, especially tile United States. Ministers, in reviewing the Far Eastern situation, are believed to have more particularly re-affirmed the policy of protecting hv all practicable measures, British lives and property at Shanghai. The danger to a large number of foreign nationals and their property at Tsingtao. which would result from the spread of hostilities to that area, is a matter on which the Government has been in touch with the United States. British diplomatic representatives nr Nanking and Tokio have been instructed to express to the Chinese and Japanese authorities the anxiety of the Government lest Tsingtao should become involved in hostilities, and to report the representation to the same effect which the United States ambassadors arc understood to be taking.

CONSUL’S REPORT

OF GENERAL. OPERATIONS.

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, August 26

The following cablegram lias been received from .Nanking by the Chinese Consul at Wellington : “A brisk artillery battle took place at Woosung this morning, between the Chinese' shore batteries and the Japanese warships along the coast, the Japanese objective being to land reinforcements. A Japanese communique claiming that 50,000 troops were landed at various points in the vicinity of Shanghai, is ridiculed. Chinese military circles stated that all attempted landings of Japanese troops have hitherto been frustrated.

“Furious fighting continued in the eastern district of Shanghai, as the Chinese tried to drive back' the Japanese to the river. Chinese tanks were used for the first time.’’ The Chinese Consul received the following cablegram from Nanking last night:— Under cover of a heavy barrage from over thirty Japanese warships, massed outside Woosung, the Japanese attempted early yesterday miming to force a landing at several places near Woosung Fort. The Japanese achieved a temporary success at Wentsaopang and Chauguapang, where about a thousand reached the shore, but after a severe engagement, the Chinese, with the aid of reinforcements and artillery, annihilated all those who landed, after which the Chinese batteries concentrated gunfire-upon the Japanese warships, sinking one destroyer ,and disabling another warship. Other attempts ti land at Shutseling were frustrated. The total Japanese casualties in these engagements are estimated at 1,200, and the Chinese casualties at 300.

Several Japanese bombs were dropped in the International Settlement yesterday afternoon.

The Sincere Company’s disaster which was previously believed to have been caused by a naval shell, is now found to have been due to an explosion caused by a large bomb, estimated to weigh between 5001 b. and 10001 b. One bomb landed inside the American Navy warehouse, hut did not explode. The Chinese Government to-day issued an order to the military authorities that war prisoners should be well treated.

In North China, the Chinese troops are advancing on Yang Liuchiang, 20 kilometres south-west of Tientsin.

tsingtao endangered.

WELLINGTON, August 26

The Chinese Consul has received an advice as follows“ Ominous tension continues at Tsmgtao, with the Japanese completing the evacuation of women and children. As to the shooting incident, the Japanese Consul-Gencial has made a written communication, asking for an early apprehension of the culprit. Tlie Chinese informed the Japanese that a reward of 30,000 dollars had been offered for the anest of the culprit. Meanwhile, the Tsingtao authorities declared that any Japanese attempt to land troops will be resisted by force.”

e JAP SUCCESSES.

(Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON, August 26

The Poking 'correspondent or the. “Times” says Japanese military authorities at Tientsin announce the occunatiou of Kalgan, Hwailai/ and Petaling. The retreating Chinese took every advantage of the mountainous country hut failed to blow up long tunnels m the region of the Great Wall. Japanese planes ar e hampering the Chinese retreat from Kalgan. They bombed Tatung, set fire to the station and then pressed an attack against the foothills northwest of Liangsiang.

The Japanese also claim the capture of the walled city of Chinghai to the south of Tientsin. They say Peking may expect to hear gun fire as the result of operations against irregulars infesting the countrysides. The Japanese Embassy assured the other Embassies that Japan has no intention of using the diplomatic quartei at Peking for military purposes.

CHINA ,AGREEABLE

TO BRITISH PROPOSAL.

LONDON. August 24

The Chinese Embassy in London has made public the following telegram received from Nanking:— “The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Chang Churn) informed tin British Ambassador (Sir Hughe Ivna-tchbuU-Hugcssen) that China was prepared to accept the British proposal, in principle, for the immediate withdrawn' of forces, including warships, irem the Shanghai area. China was willing to entrust the pi°teeFion of the Japanese Settlement and extra-Settlemeut roads to the foreign authorities if such a proposal was accepted by Japan.

CHOLERA VICTIMS.

SINGAPORE, August 25

The official cholera figures for the week ended August 21st, show' 43 5 cases, with 173 deaths, in Hong Kong, and 108 cases, with 60 deaths, at Mac-

The Bishop has given Catholics a dispensation to eat meat on Fridays owing to the prevalence of contaminated fish.

bombed

BRITISH AMBASSADOR.

SERIOUSLY INJURED.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

SHANGHAI, August 26

The British Ambassador to China (Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen), while motoring to Shanghai from Nanking, was bombed and machinegunned by Japanese, aeroplanes. The Ambassador was injured in the stomach. He was admitted to hospital The British military attache, Lieu-tenant-Colonel W- A. Lovat Fraser, was also hit. Lieutenant-Colonel Lovat Fraser and Mr E. L. Mall-Patch, British adviser to the Chinese Ministry of Finance, who was also in the car, were affected hv concussion They soon recovered* and rushed the Ambassador to hospital. It was found . that Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen was shot in the spine and liver. His condition is critical. Lieutcnant-Cojfqnel JJova’fc Fraser was driving a car flying the Union Jack, when an aeroplane swooped down and machine-gunned it. The aeroplane then dropped a bomb immediately abeaa of the car.

PARTICULARS OF INJURY

JAPANESE EXPRESS REGRET

(Received this day at 10.5 a.m.) SHANGHAI, August 26,

Apprehensive of the two planes pursuing tlie car, the occupants were just alighting to take cover, when they were machine-gunned. Sir Hugh Knatchbull-Hugessen, who was the last to emerge, was caught in the fusilade. Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Lovat Fraser had stopped the car and was getting out when the bomb fell. The Japanese spokesman expressed regret at the f‘tragic occurrence,” and added that the Japanese had not been notified that the Ambassador was en route to Shanghai.

Admiral Hasegawa has ordered the strictest investigation. The Japanese point out the car was inadequately identified for travelling on the Chinese strategic highway. The British air attache is conferring with the Japanese.

Sir Hugh Hugessen underwent a blood transfusion. An official British statement says he is serious but there is no immediate danger.

A BRITISH PROTEST

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 26. British has protested to Japan regarding the Hugessen attack.

WASHINGTON SHOCKED,

Bf, EARS OF COMPLICATIONS

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 26

Officials are shocked by the wounding of Sir Hugh Knatchbull-Hugessen. It is believed the incident niTght precipitate the gravest international complications. It is not anticipated that the - United States will take any immediate hand in the situation. It is believed it will adopt a “hands off” policy, similar to that of Britain. Regarding the shelling of the Augusta, it is indicated the possibility of such an incident has been the grave concern of the State department.