SHANGHAI CLASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23946, 23 October 1939, Page 6

SHANGHAI CLASH

INTERNATIONAL AREA OUTBREAK OF TERRORISM JAPANESE ACCUSED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegrahp—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 7.30 p.m.) A message from Shanghai states that three Chinese, one of whom was a policeman, were killed and an undetermined number wounded in a clash on the border of the International Settlement between Settlement police and units in an armoured car supported by Italian marines and Chinese motor cyclists, who had loosed a hail of rifle and machine-gun fire and thrown hand grenades. Japanese police, cordoning the area, ended the fight. It is alleged that the motor cyclists were members of Wang-ching-wei’s private protection corps, whom the Settlement police attempted to halt. The Shanghai correspondent of the United Press of America states that the Settlement police are in full war kit. Sub-machine-guns and armoured cars guard bordering roads following the putburst of terrorism yesterday, which is believed to have been fomented by Japanese in the Tatao area. British troops aided the police in building barricades and to move ammunition. Foreigners regard the clash as a development of the Japanese antiBritish drive involving an attempt to control the roads bordering the International Settlement. «

The Shanghai correspondent of the United Press yesterday reported that the killing of a Chinese policeman and the wounding of a Sikh colleague on the outside of the Settlement road resulted in a warning from the British Secretary-General (Sir Herbert Phillips) to the municipal council that he would withdraw police protection on outside roads due to “ uncontrolled hooliganism ” by Japanese-directed Chinese.

The American chairman of the council iMr Franklin) announced that if necessary he would ask United States marines to protect American residents and property on outside roads. The incident again becomes the highlight of a bitter dispute between the council and Japan. A SHATTERING VICTORY CHINESE CLAIMS CONFIRMED SITUATION IN CHANGSHA AREA LONDON, Oct. 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 6.30 p.m.) The Chungking correspondent of The Times states that the Chinese field headquarters are situated northward of Changsha, A, visit to this recentlyregained territory removes any doubt that the Chinese have achieved a major victory in repulsing the attack on Changsha. Captured prisoners and guns and smashed villages attest to the Chinese succses.

The intensity of the fighting was general. A commander of one of the sectors claims that the Japanese casualties were 25,000. Chinese generals assert that the blow was so shattering that the Japanese will need three months to replenish their ranks and supplies and to reorganise an offensive into Hunan. MEDIATION PROPOSALS DENIAL BY BRITAIN (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 10 p.m.) Reports from the Japanese Domei Agency that the British Ambassador at Chungking made proposals to the Chinese Government for mediation between China and Japan are authoritatively described here as pure invention. It is well known that the good offices of His Majesty’s Government are and always have been at the disposal of the two parties, but only if they should express a wish to avail themselves of them.