CITY OCCUPIED

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1933, Page 7

CITY OCCUPIED

INVASION BY JAPANESE FIGHTING AT SHAN HAI KUAN BOMBS FOUND ON RAILWAY ORDER TO EVACUATE CITY RESISTANCE BY CHINESE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. Shanghai, Jan. 3. Serious fighting occurred between Chinese and Japanese troops at Shan Hai Kuan on Sunday night, according to delayed messages which differ regarding the origin. It appears the discovery of two live bombs at a branch railway station by Japanese gendarmerie led to the rushing of troops towards the city to protect Japanese nationals. An agreement permitting the Japanese to occupy the south gate of the city brought a temporary lull, but when the Japanese moved to take up positions they met strong Chinese opposition and the fighting commenced on a serious scale. Shanghai opinion of the fighting is that it is more a demonstration and warning to Chang Hsueh Liang against further pin-pricking through volunteer activities. ' > .

It appears that the Japanese first the civiljan and then the military 1 evacuation of Shan Hai Kuan, both of which the Chinese refused, after which the Japanese threw thirty shells into the city. Aeroplanes dropped ten bombs. Chinese killed are reported to number 25; other casualties are unknown. The Japanese lost one major and eight soldiers.

A Chinese spokesman states that there is still hope of settling the matter, as it is purely a local incident. If, however, it becomes worse precautionary measures will be taken.

The spokesman also states that the Chinese emphatically de..y cutting the railway, as alleged by the Japanese, between Shan Hai Kuan and Ching Wang Tao. ' ' - According to Japanese military despatches the occupation of Shan' Hai Kuan was completed on Monday night, though desultory fighting continued through the night. Later news says Nanking is seething with excitement as the result of the reports of fighting at Shan Hai Kuan. Nanking has already notified the League of Nations at Geneva. It is feared the trouble will lead to major military movements in North China.

Official reports from Peking state that Shan Hai Kuan is still held by the Chinese, who have repulsed the Japanese.