FORTS SHELLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22933, 11 January 1938, Page 9

FORTS SHELLED

SOUTH CHINA COAST marines driven back AIR RAID IN KWANGSI By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Hoceived January 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 10 The Hongkong correspondent of the Daily Mail says Japanese destroyers bombarded the forts at Pinchai on the coast of Fukien. Twice they launched boatloads of marines whom the Chinese defenders drove back to their ships. Twelve Japanese aeroplanes raided Nanning, the capital of the Kwangsi Province, South China. Bombs fell on the French Catholic Mission, killing Father Martin and wounding Father Cuenot.

BRITISH POLICE ASSAULTS AT SHANGHAI INVESTIGATION PROMISED SERGEANT'S ALLEGED INSULT (Received January 10, 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 10 The British Consul-General, Mr. H. Phillips, strongly protested to the Japanese Consul-General, Mr. Okamoto, regarding the attack on British police officers. Mr. Okamoto expressed concern and promised to order a thorough investigation. The Japanese Army spokesman de--clares that Sergeant Turner insulted the Japanese Army by interfering with the duties of a soldier, which the Japanese troops regarded as a reflection upon the Emperor as Commander-in-Chief.

The spokesman said the incident in which the French were involved on Saturday had been completely settled, although neither side had apologised. In case of necessity, said the spokesman, the Japanese would not recognise, except in principle, the boundaries between the various forces in Shanghai. For instance, if a bomb thrower fled into another section he would be pursued. HOTEL INCIDENT UNION JACKS LOWERED SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION SHANGHAI, Jan. 9 The British Consulate has issued an explanation of the incident at the New Asia Hotel, where Japanese marines tore down two Union Jacksi and substituted Japanese flags. It states that the hotel is actually Chinese-owned, therefore British protection was withdrawn, although the hotel company was incorporated at Hongkong. The statement adds that the Union Jacks were lowered by permission of the Consulate and afterwards replaced by the Japanese flag.

WAR OF DESTRUCTION JAPANESE DECISION „ LONDON. Jan. 9 The Japanese Cabinet is reported to have reached full agreement to "destroy completely the anti-Japanese administration in China." SPYING CHARGE DROPPED . TOKIO, Jan. 9 The Japanese authorities have cleared the crew of the British cargo vessel Marion Moller of suspicion of espionage.