SHANGHAI FIGHTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 73, 25 February 1932, Page 7

SHANGHAI FIGHTING

CHINA’S DEFIANT STAND CONFIDENCE OF CHINESE PEOPLE JAPANESE AWAITING REINFORCEMENTS (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received February 25, 10.25 a.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 24. There has been little activity on the three fronts to-day, with the exception of Kiangwan, where the artillery continues a relentless bombardment of the Chinese lines, also a wde rear area where the Chnese are reported to have concentrated in large numbers. The Tazang village, once a thriving district, is now a pounded heap of grey ruins. The Japanese forces are resting, awaiting the arrival of additional divisions before making a final drive across the Hongkew Creek. The confidence of the Chinese people is soaring daily as a result of the defiant stand made by the Chinese forces, and the failure of the Japanese either to capture Chapei or pass the Chinese front lines. It is now indicated that Nanking is prepared to throw the whole weight of the Chinese military machine against the Japanese. It is definitely certain that German advisers are behind the Chinese opposition. The Chinese have replied to a joint foreign protest regarding the shelling of the Settlement, stating that they cannot accept responsibility, since the Settlement is being - used as a Japanese military base.

MEDIATION ATTEMPTS. OPINION IN DIPLOMATIC SERVICE LONDON, Feb. 24. The Daily Telegraph says: “Tho opinion, in diplomatic circles in London is that an opportunity will arise for the renewal of attempts at mediation when the Japanese have pushed back the Chinese from 12 to 20 miles from Shanghai. The Powers could then seek to persuade China to accept a demilitarised zone under their collective guarantee. Japan has pledged herself to accept some such solution.” JAPANESE ATROCITIES? SHANGHAI PRESS STORIES. SHANGHAI, Feb, 24. As a result of the local publication of stories alleging Japanese atrocities the truth of which is highly questionable, local Press passes from the Japanese headquarters for the lines have been indefinitely suspended, but foreign correspondents are unaffected. MUKDEN AS INDEPENDENT STATE. QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) Received February 25, 10.5 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 24. Captain Eden, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to a question in the House of Commons regarding the declaration of Mukden as an independent State, said that an Administrative Council had been formed to formulate the details of the reorganisation and the constitution of the new Government. Since the declaration had been made by the local Chinese authorities, there was no ground for action by the British Government under the Nine-Power Treaty. In answering another question, he said that he did not think any further Note, even if addressed to both China and Japan, would serve any useful purpose. The British Government had, already made its position sufficiently clear, and the Japanese Government had given a definite assurance that it had no territorial ambitions and would uphold the principle of the “open door.” BRITAIN’S NAVAL FORCES. (British Official Wireless.) Received February 25, 11.0 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 24. It is stated that no further warships are being sent to Shanghai. It has been arranged that H.M.S. Berwick, which is due to return shortly, should be relieved temporarily by H.M.S. Devonshire, an 8-inch gun cruiser from the Mediterranean Station. CANADIAN FLYING OFFICERS. NANKING INTERESTED IN PROPOSAL. Received February 25, 10.20 a.m. OTTAWA, Fob. 24. Tliat the proposal of a number, of Canadian flying officers, who are being retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force for reasons of economy, to organise . two squadrons of fighting ’planes, together with a personnel for Chinese service, has been favourably received by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, was announced here today by Dr. L. I. Tehuin, the ConsulGeneral. A . , A cablegram from Nanking expressed interest and asked for more details. The offer was to raise fifty officers and air mechanics. AMERICA’S POSITION. STATEMENt”tO BE ISSUED. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. As a result of a series of conferences between White House officials, Mr H. L. Stimson, Secretary of State, and Senator Borah, it is expected that Mr Stimson to-morrow will issue a statement bearing on the Sino-Japanese crisis. , , ~ Amiral Taylor, Commander of the United States Asiatic Fleet, reports that Admiral Nomura, the Japanese Commander, has expressed the “absolute desire of Japan to avoid any friction with the United States.” Mr Debuchi, the Japanese Ambassador, asserted that he did not know the’ number of Japanese troops involved in the Shanghai battle, hut any reinforcements, he added, would be seat “to avoid a further aggravation of the situation.” Other Japanese authorities here emphatically deny reported cruelties by Japanese troops to Chinese civilians. An inquiry among officials has indicated that tho Government has made no efforts to advise Britain in advance as to what America may or may not do in response to any request from the League. The Government apparently is not greatly interested in the suggesthat the League Assembly may propose that the United States should join in an embargo against both China and Japan. It is felt that American public opinion would not support such a move since it strongly favours China. Moreover, it is believed that

China in such a case would be the only sufferer, since it is felt that Japan already is well equipped. A distinguished friend of President Hoover ventured the opinion that the economic boycott proposal would find no support in the Cabinet and little in the Senate. He said that a few Senators would somewhat favour the idea, but would change their minds in a debate, especially if Senator Borah got into action. “With tho Japanese stewing in their own juice, why all these petitions?” he asked. “They are well stopped at Shanghai.” JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA. LONDON, Feb. 23. In the House of Commons, the Dominions Secretary, Mr J. H. Thomas, replying to Mr G. L. M. Mander (Liberal), said that no representations had been received from Australia in reference to Japan’s action in the Far East. The Commonwealth had been kept in the closest touch with the situation, and there was no reason to doubt that the British policy commanded Australia’s general assent. Mr Mander: Has your attention been called to the attack on Australia's migration policy made by the Japanese delegate at the last League meeting? Mi - Thomas: I saw the account, but I am much more influenced by personal discussion with Australian representatives than with a general discussion by an outside authority. At the League meeting the Japanese delegate said that' Japan was barred everywhere. She was not admitted to America or to the countries of the southern seas. He recalled that Japan had protested against this inequality of l-aces when the League Assembly first met. If Japan were to be ejected from China, what could she do? HOSTILE TO JAPAN. BRITISH TRADES UNION POLICY / LONDON, Feb. 23. The council of the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Party, and the Parliamentary Labour Party have issued a manifesto declaring that the “Japanese are violating their treaty obligations, disregarding their pledges to the League and the Powers, and have established a virtual protectorate in Manchuria. A state of war exists between China and Japan, for which Japan is responsible, though she could have obtained satisfaction through the Covenant. China, on the other hand, Kas put her case in the League’s hands thl - oughout. “Japan can ensure her . prosperity only by friendly co-operation with China instead of force. If the nations of the world fail to uphold the Covenant, it will destroy the collective system of world law, increase international insecurity, and cause other wars. . ... “The council therefore asks the League to consider requesting member nations to withdraw their. Ambassadors from Tokio. The British Government, if Japan defies world opinion, must propose to the League such measures of financial and economic restraint as would restore peace.” AUSTRALIA FULLY INFORMED. CANBERRA, Feb. 24. Replying to a question in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr J. G. Latham, Attorney-General, said that the Commonwealth Government was being kept fully informed about the Sino-Japanese conflict. The Press reports also were substantially accurate. The Commonwealth was anxious for peace, but it was not practicable for the Commonwealth to take any useful, separate action apart from tho League of Nations. LOW-LYING COUNTRY'. FLAT, MUDDY AREA. SEVERE FEBRUARY AVEATHER. The district bordering the Wliangpoo River, between .AVoosung and Shanghai, where the Japanese offensive is being conducted, is comprised of low-lying land used principally for agricultural pursuits, stated Mr J. Massam, of Auckland, to the New Zealand Herald. Mr Massam has had 16 years’ acquaintance with the territory. Reports' show that the Japaneso front is being pressed forward from the AVhangpoo River through the Hongkew suburb, a Chinese quarter, north of the International Settlement, into the Chinese district of Chapei. and Kiangwnn, a station on the railway between AVoosung and Shanghai, where tlio main Chinese position exists. Heavy bombardments also have been maintained at AVoosung, where the forts have been a Japanese objective. An important fact regarding tho campaign is that it is being waged during February, when the most severe weather is experienced in Shanghai. The nature of the country in no way assist such an offensive as that pressed on by the Japanese. For miles, the district is perfectly flat, without an elevation on the surface at any point. The land consists principally of black mud, intersected by many creeks, which

would bo an especially difficult obstacle against tank warfare. Woosung itself is a thickly populated Chinese port. It is notable for its extensive coastal trade by means of junks. Curving to the back of the port, which is on the northern shore of the Whangpoo River, is the Woosung Creek, which appears to be playing a not unimportant part in the defence against the Japanese intention of taking Woosung and Paoshan, on the coast. Toward Shanghai, along the railway from Woosung, the country is of an uninteresting character. The land is of poor quality and there is a fairly large peasant population, which obtains a livelihood by growing vegetables- for the Shanghai market or growing rice in scattered fields. There are no portions of the district, discounting the many creeks, which would afford natural defensive points. Warfare, in consequence, must necessarily bo waged in the open in difficult weather at a time when low temperatures are common.

Up to the present, the Japanese do not seem to have attacked the native city of Shanghai or the suburb of Nantao, both of which are further up the Whangpoo River than Shanghai, bordering the French Concession. Both points are of grent importance and tliero is a Chinese arsenal at Nantao. A probable explanation for the absence of hostilities in the native city of Nantao is that the Japanese would be in danger of having their retreat out off, having ' proceeded so far up the Whangpoo. Their present intention seems to be to drive tho Chinese away from the boundaries of the International Settlement.