SHANGHAI TENSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 3 May 1938, Page 5

SHANGHAI TENSION

BRITISH PROTEST TRUCULENT JAPANESE GENDARMES WITHDRAWN CHINESE CLAIM GAINS RIDICULED IN TOKIO (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 3, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. May 2. A message from Shanghai states that a tense situation has arisen in the International Settlement as a result of a hand grenade allegedly having been aimed at a Japanese lorry on the Nanking road. No casualties were suffered when the grenade exploded.

The commander of the British troops, Major-General A. P. D. TelferSmolleft, posted a detachment of steelhelmeted Seaforths on the spot with machine-guns. T "T"'*.. “T

In consequence of Japanese gendarmes virtually taking possession of the street overnight, half a dozen entering the Louza police station, which is staffed by British officers, MajorGeneral Telfer-Smollett complained that the British defence sector had been violated and he ordered the Seaforths not to vacate the police station while the Japanese remain. A report that 2000 Chinese guerillas entered the foreign area heightened the tension.

The incident ended in an agreement between the Seaforths and the Japanese and the gendarmes were withdrawn.

Wrecking of Railway

■ A message from Pekin states that Japanese have resumed the use of one of the main avenues of penetration, the Pekin-Hankow railway, which had been idle for two days through Chinese guerillas blowing up a bridge at Liuliho. The Chinese blew up a Japanese troop train between Chuchow and Liuliho.

A Hankow message states that the Chinese claim favourable developments on all fronts. The Taierchwang line is said to be intact and it is claimed that the Japanese positions in Shansi have been reduced from the line to points threatening early abandonment unless the invaders are reinforced.

A Tokio message states that the Japanese continue to ridicule the Chinese claims <to victories in the Shantung area. On the contrary, the Japanese state that the Chinese were repulsed at Taierchwang and that they have lost Ichowfu, their largest base in Shangtung, and have susta’-H -r/eral hundred thousands of casualties.

Preparing for Long War The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that signifying that the Japanese high command intends to prepare for protracted warfare in China by a change of commanders, who are tired after 10 months of fighting, the navy announces that on June 4 viceadmirals and rear-admirals will be transferred during a complete reshuffle of the commands in, China. Vice-Admiral' Hasegawa, the commander of the third fleet, is to betransferred to the command of the Yokosuka base. He is being replaced by Vice-Admiral Oikawa. Yokosuka is one of the most important Japanese commands. Rear-Admiral Sugiyama goes to the naval general staff at Tokio. He is being replaced as chief of staff of the third fleet by RearAdmiral Kusaka.

It is further reported from Tokio that Britain and Japan has reached an agreement concerning the Chinese customs, the plan ensuring the service of foreign loans during the period of hostilities.