STUBBORN CHINESE

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11981, 23 February 1932, Page 5

STUBBORN CHINESE

WITHSTAND FIERCE ONSLAUGHT ■DRAMATIC AERIAL BATTLES. i nited Press Assn —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. SHANGHAI, February 22. Japans fighting prestige was not greatly enhanced by General Uyeda’s success ill Saturday’s and Sunday’s offensive. There was no progress on the Chapei front, from which the Japanese are determined to drive the Chinese in order to start a circular movement north of the boundary defence of the international Settlement. With an artillery barrage, aerial bombing and machine-gunning. as preparation, the Japanese began a series of assaults with infantry and armoured cars and tanks at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning, but could not take the village of Iviangwan. The attacks continued all day, and at midnight the Japanese had advanced their lines only between 300 to 400 yards on one side of Kiangwan. Japanese losses for the dav were officially given as 100 dead and Wounded, while Saturday's were repoited as only 40 dead and wounded. J his cannot seemingly be true since reports telegraphed here from Tokyo tell that Japanese casualties on Sunday alone were 250 killed. Chinese losses are heavier. Chinese shells rained in the vicinity of the Japanese marine headquarters, a former Japanese public . school in north Szecliuen road Jhree Japanese sentries were torced to desert their posts, and it was learned that the marines may evacuate their base. The Japanese troops in the neighbourhood of Kiangwan, still held by the Chinese, are suffering from a shortage of fresh water. A supply was rushed to the lines this hottie” S 1,1 large casks and beer

+ ,A Japanese communique states that the mam Chinese lines are a mile from Taziang, which the Japanese expect to . capture within ■ ' + " he . n new troops ordered j esterday arrive. Ihe Nineteenth Chinese Route Army brought down a Japanese plane on Sunday, the second thev have accounted for in two weeks. With the Chinese rushing aerial reinforcements from Nanking, prospects of dramatic aerial battles are increasing. ANNIHILATION INEVITABLE. SHANGHAI, February 22. Japanese reinforcements sped into the .yd!age at Kiangwan to-day to annihilate a < le fiant Chinese detachment which had fought hack desperately for two days to block the spearhead of Japan’s big offensive. At nightfall on Sunday the Chinese still clung to their barriers at til© outskirts of the villcigo, ujthough Japanese headquarters announced that the attacking troops had outflanked the Chinese in a day of severe fighting, and that annihilation was inevitable. The second day of the Japanese offensive to drive the Chinese dei cutlers from the Chapei- Woosung front was marked by furious fighting, aerial bombardments and naval shelling, hut the Japanese were able to advance part of their troops only mile westward from Kiangwan. They were attempting to split the Chinese front at Kiangwan, driving toward Tazang’ and Ciienju in ail effort to surround the Chinese in Chapei and Woosung. The Japanese thrust through the line at Kiangwan was a narrow one, and the Chinese held out at one edge of the village and managed to make a counter-attack at dusk, trying furiously to recapture the lost ground. CHINESE GIVE WAY. SHANGhTC February 21. -lie t hine.se are retiring slowlv occasionally halting and returning the enemy’s fire; lint the Chinese lack ot heavy guns is obvious oAtJ? muhoi’itativdy stated’ that cJXOO Chinese troops are massed behind the main defences extending from Chapei northwards. It is reported that the whole terrain immediately in front of the entrenchments is heavilv mined The main forces of the Chinese has not yet been in action. Japs storm Tillage. SHANGHAI, February 22. Kiangwan village fell into Japanese hands last night, enabling the straightening of the Japanese line. A Japanese spokesman announced that the Chinese resistance was stiffer than expected, as the Chinese behind the ancient walls and battlements were able to pour a heavy machine gun fire on the advancing parties.

It is estimated that the Jaiianese have advanced nine miles along an eight-mile front, and they are now preparing to attack the Chinese mam defences _ behind the Hong Kew creek, where really serious fighting is anticipated. Ihe Japanese casualties are officially stated to be 140 killed and wounded. The Chinese losses are not announced.

British residents were circularised during the week-end and warned to concentrate women and children at the Shanghai Club ready tor evacuation, and to carry the minimum oi clothing and the maximum of food. Steamers are transporting the refugees to an unknown spot. This step will be taken only ni nn extreme emergency. I he Nanking Government has issued an order placing the whole command of the Chinese forces around Shanghai under General I sai Tingkai. RAID ON HOSPITAL. SHANGHAI, February °2 It is pointed out that Japanese bluejackets, without warning and without American consular permrtE!on ’ m-i-:e a i a:d, -.0 .trc-ig, upon

tal. an American owned and operated institution, maintained solely the Seventh Day Adventist hospifor the benefit of indigent Chinese. Patients, nurses and members of tlie staff were searched at the point of the bayonet ail'd roughly handled. Similar incidents occurred at the homes and establishments of Americans on the North Szechuan road, in the Hong Kew area, after its seizure by the Japanese. LEAGUE ASSE M BLY. RUGBY, February 21. The States members of the League ot Nations have been' invited to send delegations to an extraordinary League. Assembly meeting at Geneva. on March 3 to consider the Far East situation, which has heen referred to the Assembly by the Council. REPLY TO APPEAL. SHANGHAI. February 22. Tokyo reports that the appeal 1 made to Japan by the (w?agueCouncil has been received. The reply to the urgent request which M. Boncour made for a delay of the Shanghai operations will be sent to-morrow. It is understood that a general statement of the Japanese viewpoint will be incorporated in the reply. ADVICE TO BRITAIN. LONDON, February 21. “Keep cool and keep out.” This is the Daily Mail’s editorial advice to Britain in connection with intervention in Shanghai. In a letter to the Times, Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle. deputy-Chief of the Naval Staff, 1918-19, warns of the danger of adopting the League of Nations Union proposal to attempt an economic blockade of Japan, which would quickly develop into mainly a naval war, and 75 per cent of the operations would fall on Britain’s shoulders. Britain would thus drift into a first-class war against her old and tried ally under disadvantageous conditions. The onus of dealing with neutral rights, which would be claimed by America an d Russia, would fall chiefly on Britain, with far-reaching results which could be contemplated only with the utmost apprehension. NOT LOOKING FOR WAR. A) ASHINGTON, February 21. Senator Borah repudiates the idea that the United States contemplated invoking an an economic boycott against Japan. He favoured the retaining of friendly relations with both Rowers unless a break came through some act of theirs. If America started with a belligerent attitude the logical outcome would lie war. CALL TO CHRISTIANS. LONDON. February 22. Mr George Lansbury, the "Labour Party leader in Parliament, observed his 73rd birthday to-day by issuing a long statement urging Christian men and women throughout tlie world to make a huge appeal to Japan to cease hostilities in China.