BITTER FIGHTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 13

BITTER FIGHTING

SHANGHAI AREA CHINESE MASS TROOPS CONSCRIPTS CALLED DP NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF • By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received August .'sl, 7.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, August 30 The Japanese to-day rushed up reserves to the front lines between Shanghai and Woosung, where bitter fighting is proceeding without apparent advantage to either side. The Japanese spokesman admitted that Woosung city and fort are still in Chinese hands. Japanese sources state that the Chinese now are massing 16 divisions around Shanghai. The Chinese Government has issued a mandate conscripting all able-bodied men for military service. The War Council nt Nanking has appointed General I'ai Chung-ai Com-mander-in-Chief of all the forces in the field and General Chang Tse-cluing Commander-in-Chief of the Kiangsu, Chekiang and Anhui forces. General Rai Chung-ai was one of the leaders of the Kwangsi revolt and held aloof from Nanking until the hostilities against Japan, and his appointment is an indication that long-standing differences have been settled in the interests of a united front. A Japanese report from Tientsin claims advances on all fronts in North China. WOMEN UNDER FIRE EPIC Or- DISCIPLINE REFUGEES' PATHETIC BUNDLES . SHANGHAI, August 90 The evacuation of British women and children from Shanghai is regarded by military experts here as an epic demonstration of civilian discipline under fire. So dangerous were the conditions that it was found impossible to evacuate the whole 2000 -women and children in one day. The •women., among whom were many Indians, calmly collected their belongings in tablecloths, newspapers, suitcases and old biscuit tins, and gathered according to plan at the heavilybarricaded Shanghai Club, Mefcropole Hotel, and Hamilton House. Under the supervision of British blue-jackets, soldiers and volunteers, they were put in motor trucks and driven to tho pontoon as Japanese aeroplanes mounted into the skies and joined battle with Chinese bombing aircraft. Projectiles came crashing down on houses along the Chinese part of the waterfront as bluejackets were landed from H.M.S. Danae to barricade the zone leading from the International Settlement to the pontoons. It was only when the time came for parting from their men, that many of the women broke down in tears. Under pressure from the British and American commanders, the Chinese and Japanese slackened their vicious fire from machine-guns at the mouth of the Woosung River as the refugee fchips passed out.