BATTLE AT SHANGHAI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 9

BATTLE AT SHANGHAI.

attack launched;

STRONG JAPANESE FORGE.

kiangwan front.

(FIERCE BOMBARDMENT.

DISTRICT IN RUINS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received February 25. 11.55 p.m.') SHANGHAI, Feb. 05

The Japanese, using all their available men. guns, aeroplanes and tanks, launched a general attack on the Kiangwan front at 8 a.m. to-day.

There was littlo activity on the three fronts all day yesterday except at Kiangwan, where the Japanese artillery continued a relentless bombardment of the Chinese lines, also in the wide rear area where the Chinese are reported to. have concentrated in large numbers in the village of 'J'nzang. This once thriving district now is pounded into a heap of grey ruins. The main Japanese forces rested yesterday awaiting the arrival of additional divisions before making a final drive across the Hongkew Creek. Tin confidence of the Chinese people is soaring daily 3s a result of the defiant stand made by the Chinese forces and the failure of the Japanese either to capture Chapei or to pass the Chinese front lines. It- is now indicated that the Nanking Government is/ prepared to throw the whole weight of tho Chinese military machine against, the Japanese. It is definitely certain that German advisers arc behind the Chinese opposition. RULE AT MUKDEN. ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL. NEW, INDEPENDENT STATE. British Wireless. RUGBY. Feb. 2i. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Captain R. A. Eden, in the House of Commons to-day replied to a question regarding the declaration of Mukden as an independent State, consisting of the four north-eastern provinces of China. Captain Eden said an Administrative Council had been set up to formulate details of reorganisation and the constitution of a new Government. Since the declaration had been made by local Chinese authorities there was no ground for action by the British Government under the Nine-Power Treaty. The Undersecretary said 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. BRITISH WARSHIPS. NO MORE TO BE SENT. CRUISER TO BE REPLACED. British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 24. On behalf of the Admiralty it was stated in the House of Commons that no further warships were being sent to Shanghai. , It had been arranged that the cruiser Berwick, which was due to return shortly, should be relieved temporarily by the Devonshire, the Sin. gun cruiser from the Mediterranean station. HELP FOR CHINESE. CANADIAN AIRMEN. OFFER FAVOURABLY RECEIVED. OTTAWA, Feb. 24. The, proposal of a number of Canadian flying officers who were retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force for reasons of economy to organise two squadrons of fighting aeroplanes together with personnel for service with the Chinese lias been favourably received by the Chinese Minister oi Foreign Affairs, Dr. Eugene Chen. This fact was announced to-day by Dr. L. I. Teliuin, Chinese Consul-General. A cablegram from Nanking expressed interest and asked for more details. The offer was to raise 50 officers and air mechanics.