CHINA HITS BACK AT SHANGHAI

Southland Times, Issue 23336, 21 October 1937, Page 5

CHINA HITS BACK AT SHANGHAI

JAPANESE OFFENSIVES FAIL FURTHER AIR RAIDS ON NANKING

(United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright) SHANGHAI, October 19. A Japanese spokesman admits that the Chinese, instead of retreating, are being reinforced and are counterattacking on the Shanghai front. He indicated an extension of Japanese activities under which all trains will be regarded as military objectives. The Chinese claim to have gained ground in a counter-attack across the Shanghai-Woosung railway. After an intense artillery barrage the Japanese again attacked on a long front the North City, stormed Tazang and occupied part of it. The Chinese, reporting the arrival of 3000 Japanese reinforcements and that others are on the way, state the Chinese planes last night attacked a fleet of warships and transports off Liuho, causing explosions on several warships. The Chinese allege that these reinforcements are made necessary by the failure of the four big Japanese offensives. The fact is that while the Japanese power to replace the losses is limited the Chinese are able to make good the heaviest casualties without delay. The Japanese therefore continue bombing and shelling in an endeavour to destroy communications. Japanese planes were again most active today, 150 civilians being killed in five raids on Nanking. The inhabitants of the Chinese capital fled from their beds to shelter in chilly dug-outs during two Japanese air raids early this morning, in which they claimed to have damaged 15 Chinese planes. They claim also to have damaged 31 in raids on Hankow.

Japanese warships shelled the treaty port of Pakhoi, but the shore batteries frustrated a landing. Two cars on the way to Nanking from Shanghai were attacked from the air. They contained an Italian naval officer, a German, a Russian and a Chinese, who fled across fields but were unhurt. The cars were riddled with bullets. It is announced that 2057 non-com-batants were killed and 2955 injured in the International Settlement by misdirected bombs, shells and bullets up to October 15. PROTEST MEETING IN SYDNEY PRIME MINISTER APPEALS FOR MODERATION SYDNEY, October 20. A gathering of 2000 people in the Sydney Town Hall last night, under the auspices of the Sydney Labour Council, passed resolutions expressing horror at the wanton aggression by Japan in China, advocating a complete boycott of Japanese goods, calling upon the Commonwealth Government to prohibit exports from Japan, and advising all workers to refuse to work ships trading with Japan. The Federal Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), referring to Belgium’s invitation to Australia and the other Dominions to a conference on the Far East situation, concluded by saying: “My attention has been directed to the fact that certain organizations contemplate a boycott of Japanese goods. I appeal to the people to refrain from any precipitate action in this delicate situation and to leave to the Government the initiation of any measures which might be necessary on behalf of the people of Australia.”