GRIM SALUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 11

GRIM SALUTE

JAPANESE GUNS SHANGHAI AREA SHOTS AT AIECKAFT BBITISH BATTEEIES JfEUTKAL ZONE BEPORT •By Tflesrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 4, 5.15 p.m.) - SHANGHAI. Nov. -1 The Japanese celebrated the "birthday anniversary of the famous Japanese Emperor, Meiji, who introduced' democratic reforms in Japan, bv a salute of 101 guns; but the' guns were pointed at the Chinese and the shells were '•"alive." A warning has been issued by tbo .'Japanese that they will shoot down •any aeroplanes flying over their lines, regardless of their markings. This is ' 'a sequeL to the reported flight of two rjiionoplanes with British markings over 'the north-west-area of Shanghai. The British observers suggest that 'the monoplanes were camouflaged 'Chinese machines. Foreign military observers say that 'the Chinese, forces in the Soochow Creek •'area consist only of the first line with •a few reserves. The main body of the Chinese Army has established a line /north-west of. the eitv. The Doniei News Agency representative at Shanghai reports that anti--aircraft batteries, apparently in the defence sector, fired on a Japanese- naval' aeroplane flying over the 'ffokoda cotton mill, which is Japanese jproperty and is in the hands of Chinese. 'JJ'hc aeroplane reached the base safely, although bullets hit the wings. An agreement is said to have been (reached between tbo French, Chinese /and Japanese under which Chinese 'troops will lie withdrawn from Nantao vith a view to obviating a Japanese fattack against the area, which would ihave imperilled the French Concession. Newspapers throughout China, howliever, urge tht> continuation of vigorous and declare that rumours <ci negotiations for a neutral zoue at Shanghai and the evacuation of Nantao ihre without foundation. FALL IMMINENT CAPITAL OF SHANSI fp CHINESE IN RETREAT PEKING. Nov. 3 The Japanese are rapidly convergSng on Taiyuan, capital of the Shansi Province, from two sides. After severe hand-to-hand fighting and mining Chinese trenches, they claim that the Chinese are in full retreat and that the fall of the city is imminent, thus making Japan master of the fourth provincial capital since the start of the

campaign'/ The Chinese admit that the position in Shansi is grave.

Japanese captured the snow-clad mountain pass of Hsinkowchen. The defenders/,resisted stubbornly, but the invaders sacrificed their lives, blasting supposedly impregnable positions whence they finally drove the Chinese in-full flight, leaving 30,000 casualties. "Despatches from Taiyuan admit that "the Japanese are within 40 miles of the ■city. There will be severe losses if rein'iorcement? do not arrive quickly.