ADVANCE ON CHAPEI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 9

ADVANCE ON CHAPEI.

STUBBORN RESISTANCE.

SANGUINARY HOSTILITIES

HEAVY CASUALTIES RESULT.

GREAT ALARM IN SHANGHAI.

Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 3, 10.55 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Feb. 3. After a reconnaissance by airmen in two seaplanes in the lunch hour yesterday the Japanese took up advanced posts at about 2.30 p.m. They commenced a general advance into the northern suburb of Chapei at 3 p.m. Four concealed Japanese field guns heavily shelled Chapei where 2000 Japanese marines prepared to attack the Chinese, who firmly intend to drive the Japanese from Shanghai. Fourteen thousand Chinese troops were concentrated to the west of Chapei. The district is thoroughly wired and fully manned, and the Chinese 19th Army offered stubborn resistance. In the eveninc the conditions were quieter and at midnight all was reported to be calm. " The Japanese naval headquart-ers issued * communique denying that the movement in the afternoon h?A constituted an endeavour to advance into Chapei. They alleged that the marines had merely taken np positions allotted to them by the ' Allied commanders entrusted with the defence of the settlement. Intermittent fighting continued all night. Japanese, naval and field batteries . shelled and' broke the Chinese positions in front of the north railway station. There were heavy casualties on both sides. The sharp crackle of machine-gun fire and rifles in the Hongkew district, castward of the International Settlement, terrified "the residents. When {he additional international troops ard naval vessels arrive here the total of the available foreign forces will lw 17,000, comprising British, French, American and Italian regulars and the volunteer corps. Nanking is comparatively quiet, but feverish military activities are in progress there. Very few firms are operating in Shanghai, all the available men having joined the volunteer corps. Th-e banks are functioning only/ half the day owing to depleted staffs. All the (Chinese business houses are dosed.

"INSANE ADVENTURE."

DANGER TO AMERICA.

NEW YORK PAPER'S VIEW. ' XEW YORK. Feb. 2. The New York Daiiv News, a tabloid —• Be wspaper with the largest circulation in America, said to-day in a sensational fullpage leading article:—

"The United States is drifting to war *ith Japan. What will be the effect of 'hov;ag American troops between the tattling Chinese and Japanese? It will ®ean that /the decision whether or not will fight Japan will be taken out °f the hands of the President and Congress.

" The decision of the State Depart®&nt may be. turned over by the first dfQnsen Japanese lieutenant; in Shanghai who sees fit to order the killing of American. If the President, Mr. Hoover, and Secretary of Stale, Mr. H. L. Stim--50D i are determined to go on with the straight into the Shanghai powder Magazine, we beg them to march step I® 1 step with England. We do not beGreat Britain or the United States afford to undertake this insane adventure aiorje."

*"OBI'ES FOR SHANGHAI.

DESPATCH FROM ITALY.

warships with troops.

ROME. Feb. 2. The Italian cruiser Trent.o and des*er Espero have been ordered to efcanghai with troops.