JAPS. TAKE TSINANFU WITHOUT RESISTANCE

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1937, Page 5

JAPS. TAKE TSINANFU WITHOUT RESISTANCE

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, December 27. Japanese at Shanghai officially announced the complete occupation of Tsinanfu, capital of Shantung. The city was captured without resistance, and the Chinese evacuated after setting fire to buildings. The Japanese pursued and completely routed them. Four days’ fighting preceding the fall of Tsinanfu cost the Japanese only 120 casualties.

It is officially claimed also that when, before retreating, Chinese

set fire to all important buildings, they included the cotton mills, Government buildings, the Japan-

ese consulate-general and the headquarters of General Han Fu-Shu,

Governor of Shangtung.

When the conquerors entered, the entire walled city appeared to be ablaze.

The Japanese are making a bid for the treaty port of Tsingtao, which is directly threatened, after the occupation of Tsinanfu. Chinese are entrenching at Weihsien, an important intervening railway centre, but it is considered that there is little prospect that they can check the Japanese advance.

Acting on the advice of the State Department at Washington, Americans are leaving Tsingtao to-morrow for Shanghai. Tsingtao to be Blockaded.

Admiral Hasegawa has announced that Tsingtao, Shantung Province, hitherto the only port excluded from the blockade of the Chinese coast, will henceforth be included in the blockade.

It is understood this is the first reprisal for the burning of the Japanese mills at Tsingtao.

The Mayor of Tsingtao has urged residents to depart immediately, in view of the impossibility of keeping the city clear of hostilities.