ACUTE TENSION AT

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1937, Page 5

ACUTE TENSION AT

.(Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 28. There is acute tension at Tsingtao, whence 45 Americans evacuated. Chinese banks are closed, shops shuttered, and streets deserted. The Chinese have blown up all bridges on the Tsinan-Tsingtao Railway in an attempt to check the Japanese, who, after evacuation of Tsinan, are pursuing the Chinese’ to Taian. They claim to be able to cut off the retreat of the Chinese in Tsingtao district, and it is expected that they will avenge the burning of the Tsing-r tao cotton mills. The Japanese have notified their intention of replacing Chinese policing roads outside the settlement at Tsingtao, owing to Chinese abandoning their jobs in the Post Office. Britons and foreigners volunteered to maintain the service. Three Chinese newspapers suspended publication, owing to the disappearance of their staffs. Systematic blowing up of Japanese cotton mills has begun. Macao awakened at dawn to reports of heavy artillery 10 miles south-west of the city from Wongnan Island, which the Japanese, 'after shelling, have occupied. Reports from Portuguese who possess the rights on Wongnan Island, so far have not been received.