PEACE IN SIGHT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19376, 14 July 1937, Page 5

PEACE IN SIGHT

SINO-JAP. CLASH TRUCE NEGOTATIONS SHELLING OF PEKIN BOMBING BY PLANES WARNING FROM TOKIO (F.lec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Julv 14, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. Latest reports reaching the British Government regarding North China indicate that peace is in sight. The Chinese military headquarters at Pekin report that truce negotiations are still proceeding. It is stated that both sides are willing to withdraw, but each refuses to be the first to do so.

Earlier reports from Pekin stated that fighting between Chinese and Japanese troops broke out this morning almost under the walls of the city. Two shells burst over the city wall.

It was hoped yesterday that the fighting was over when a truce was made, but at nightfall the Chinese force captured a Japanese gun in the vicinity of Tsai Chemiao, following which the Japanese forces to the westward engaged about 100 Chinese troops, who were entrenched around the international racecourse at Paoma Chang. Both sides used artillery, machine-guns, star shells and Verey lights. The engagement was broken off by the Japanese forces returning to Wangping.

Tanks and Armoured Cars

The clash was resumed in the morning when 500 Japanese soldiers, accompanied by four tanks and armoured cars, appeared on the railway between Pekin and Feng Tai and clashed with Chinese troops. The fighting drew rapidly nearer Pekin until it reached the railway bridge just outside the south gate. The traffic in the south section of the city was stopped and the populace confined to their houses.

The fighting ceased at 12.45 p.m. when the Japanese forces moved in the direction of Feng Tai. The Chinese charged the Japanese with their traditional big swords and forced their retirement by superiority of numbers.

Japanese aircraft, in action for the first time, to-day bombed Chinese forces at Nanyuan. Ministers Recalled A Shanghai message states that the Chinese Government has instructed its Ministers and staffs to return to Nanking from the Summer capital at Ruling. A Tokio message says that the spokesman of the Japanese War Office said that unless the Chinese radically alter their policy and cease provocative acts, grave consequences will ensue, particularly if the Nanking Government’s troops, who are now moving northward, enter the Pekin region, as this would break the military agreements between China and Japan concerning North China. “We hold the Nanking Government responsible for the disturbances and their outcome,” he declared. A Tientsin message states that 2500 Japanese troops, 12 tanks, 24 armoured cars, 31 motor lorries, two units of engineers and one cavalry unit have arrived there. They are believed to be direct from Japan.