NANTAO AFLAME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 12 November 1937, Page 5

NANTAO AFLAME

JAPANESE SHELLS WATERFRONT POUNDED MORE TROOPS LANDED HOMELESS REFUGEES CHINESE BID IN NORTH (Elec, Tol. Copyright—United Presa Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 12, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. Reports from Shanghai state that the Japanese bombardment of Nantao has started huge fires. Two destroyers were to-day pounding waterfront property. Shanghai had another alarm lasting throughout the day and night, when Japanese howitzer shells, aimed at Nantao, screamed over the International Settlement from the north. The navy joined in, and two destroyers, steaming up the Whangpoo River, exchanged machine-gun fire with Chinese forces. Snipers were taking part from Pootung, particularly intensively, when sailors from Japanese naval launches stole up in the darkness. The Italian cruiser Monte Cuccoli, was peppered with bullets when it came into the line of fire while Chinese troops at Nantao attempted to drive off a Japanese gunboat approaching a boom across tire river in order to destroy it. Bullets rained on the decks of the Italian cruiser, forcing the crew to seek shelter below. The commander, from the bridge, demanded by means of a megaphone that the firing should cease, but he failed to stop the battle. The firing continued sporadically. Hangchow Bay Landing A new Japanese landing on the south side of Hangchow Bay is reported from Chinese sources, which state ; that 34 transports, capable of holding 50,000 men, were seen in the bay. At least half of these troops are reported to have landed and to be threatening Hangchow. It is stated that six Japanese warships bombarded Amoy for five hours. The Japanese claim that the troops which advanced from the northern side of Hangchow Bay have made contact with the Japanese near Shanghai, cutting off the Chinese south of Shanghai. With the Japanese virtually masters of Shanghai, there are many indications that they are being less considerate towards the British, French and American wishes. They are not disposed to allow the-owners to visit their homes in the Hungjao area, although the Chinese positions have been removed many miles westward. Assurance to Foreign Powers The Domei News Agency, however, says that Japan has given an assurance to respect fully the vested interests of the foreign Powers in China. A million people are homeless in Shanghai and face starvation. Another million are on the verge of ruin in the Shantung province as a result of the worst floods in half a century. The floods have been caused by breaches in the dykes of the Yellow River, which has inundated a fifth of the province. The Chinese claim that the 29th Army has been reorganised south of Pekin and has started to counterattack with the object of recapturing Pekin and Tientsin. More immediately important is the railway junction of Chichiachung, the capture of which would cut off the Japanese in the Taiyung area from their sources of supply, thereby placing them between the .Communist Army north of Nanking and the troops in the south. AID FROM LONDON MEDICAL SUPPLIES OVER TWENTY-ONE TONS (British Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Nov. 11. The first consignment of medical supplies dispatched to China by the Lord Mayor’s fund weighed over 21 tons. It consisted of drugs, medicines and anaesthetics. A special dispensing container for anaesthetics was designed and manufactured in four days. The Lord Mayor’s fund for the relief of distress in China has now reached £70,000. BRITON KILLED JOURNALIST IN WAR ZONE VICTIM OF MACHINE-GUN (Rec. Nov. 12, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. A message from Shanghai states that Mr. Pembroke Stephens, the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent, while observing the fighting at Nantao from a water tower from the French concession, was killed by a sudden burst of machine-gun fire. Mr. Stephens was hit twice. Two Russians were badly wounded. The deatli of Mr. Stephens is greatly mourned. He was regarded as the most intrepid correspondent in the war zone. His big yellow twoseater car was widely known. NINE-POWER PARLEYS DISCUSSION ADJOURNED LONDON, Nov. 10. The Brussels conference which is considering the situation in the Far East met to-day and adjourned until Saturday, when the Japanese reply to the chairman’s message is expected.