JAPANESE ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21114, 23 February 1932, Page 9

JAPANESE ADVANCE.

fall of kiangwan.

NINE MILES GAINED.

line straightened.

STIFF RESISTANCE.

(REFUGEE PRECAUTIONS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,

(Resaived February 22. 10.45 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Feb. 22,

The Kiangwan village, three miles north the International Settlement on the Shanghai-Woosun'g line,, fell into Japanese hands last night, enabling the straightening of the Japanese line. The Japanese spokesman announced that the Chinese resistance -was stiffer than had been expected, as the Chinese were behind ancient walls and battlements and able to pour heavy machinegun fire on the advancing parties.

It is estimated that the Japanese advanced nine miles along an eight mile front. They arc now preparing to attack tho Chinese main defences behind the Hongkew Creek, where really serious fighting is anticipated.

The Japanese casualties are officially plated to be 140 killed and wounded. The Chinese losses arc not announced. British residents wero circularised during the week-end and warned to concentrate women and children at the Shanghai Club ready for evacuation, and to carry a minimum of clothing and a maximum of food and to bo ready to smbark on steamers transporting refugees to an unknown spot. This step will be taken only in an extreme emergency. ■ Tho Nanking Government has issued an order placing the whole command of the Chinese forces round Shanghai under General Tsai Ting-kai.

HEAVY GUNFIRE.

DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.

CHINESE RETIRE SLOWLY.

SHANGHAI. Feb. 21. Meeting with stubborn resistance along the Kiangwan front, the Japanese halted last night east of the railway, across which the Chinese fought ..stubbornly. Seventeen hours of heavy bombardment yesterday enabled the Japanese to advance only as far as the Kiangwan rail- • way, but this morning a definite push westward commenced, the Japanese infantry, under a heavy barrage, steadily progressing . ovpr difficult country, intersected by a network of small creeks and canals preventing the use of tanks and armoured cars. From a small cluster of farmhouses the Chinese poured machineI "'gun fire until the advance became too t' steady and the shelling too insistent. From the top of the Kiang.wan racecouxse tower the progress of the Japanese v.3s visible, their lino extending beyond lii-r- tllC field of viSiOll.

The Japanese are reported to be covering a front of four miles, the only point which held the advance being Kiangwan .village. - H Pillars of smoke and flame marked the 1 advance as every house or collection of Chinese huts was fired and destroyed, thus removing all possible cover for snipers. Overhead Japanese aeroplanes directed artillery fire t the Chinese retiring slowly, occasionally halting and returning the fire, but the lack of heavy guns was obvious. It is authoritatively stated that 80,000 ■ Chinese troops are massed behind, the main defences extending from Chapei northward. It is reported that the whole terrain immediately iu front of the entrenchments is heavily mined. f The main forces of tbJ Chinese have not yet been in action. The Japanese were also heavily engaged near Woosung, where the artillery fire was particularly severe. FOREIGN SETTLEMENT. CONDITIONS MOW NORMAL. COMPLETE CALM MAINTAINED. British Wireless. ItUGBY, Feb. 21. A Shanghai message states that in the International Settlement conditions aie practically normal, although there is necessarily danger from stray shells while hostilities are conducted so near. This risk does not appear to have been increased with the resumption of hostilities. Probably the firm representations made to both the Chinese and Japanese authorities by lepresentatives of the neutral Powers have had an effect. Meanwhile complete calm is maintained in the Settlement./ A large number of refugees have crossed the Soochow Creek into the Settlement from Chapei. APPEAL BY LEAGUE. PREPARING JAPAN'S REPLY. INVITATIONS TO ASSEMBLY. British Wireleso. RUGBY. Feb. 21. A TokioViessage reports that- the appeal to Japan made by the Council of the League of Nations at its meeting has been received. A reply/to the urgent request which M. Taul Boncour (France) made for a delay in the Shanghai operations will be sent to-morrow. It is understood a general statement of the Japanese viewpoint will be incorporated in the reply. j Fifty-five States, members of the League of Nations, have been invited to send delegations to the extraordinary Assembly of the League, which is meeting at Geneva on March 3, to consider the Far East situation, which was referred to the Assembly by the Council.