THREAT TO WIPE OUT NANKIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20839, 22 September 1937, Page 7

THREAT TO WIPE OUT NANKIN

JAPAN’S GRIM WARFARE HINTS OF PROTESTS BY BRITAIN NAVAL COMMANDERS STAND FIRM United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright LONDON, September 20. The Australian Associated Press understands that Britain is considering making a protest against the Japanese threat to wipe out Nankin, which so far has not been conveyed officially to Britain. The British Government is most perturbed over the safety of three hundred nationals, although the British Embassy has taken safety measures and the Chinese have built extensive dugouts to shelter non-cambatants. Admiral Sir Charles Little, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British fleet on the China Station, and Admiral Lebigot, Commander-in-Chlef of the French Asiatic fleet, have rejected the Japanese request to move their warships upstream from Nankin, adding that the Japanese will be held responsible for the killing of English and French nationals. Admiral Yarnell, the American Commander, has Informed the Japanese that the United States warships must remain at Nankin while Americans were there. He asked that the airmen avoid his ships. The Japanese twice bombed Nankin to-day, making four raids in twentyfour hours. They dropped handreds of bombs. Great damage is reported. “The Times" says that yesterday two raids on Nankin were carried out, when 35 to 40 bombers are estimated to have dropped at least 30 tons of high explosives, representing destructive power ten times greater than the biggest Great War record. The Japanese claim to have wrought great damage, including the destruction of the army headquarters and other Important buildings. The Chinese deny that the damage was excessive, but report that many non-combatants were killed and wounded.

The Japanese claim that the raids so depleted the Chinese air force that only seven engaged to-day’s attackers, who claim to have shot down four, leaving only three to defend the capital.

NANKIN AWAITS ITS DOOM THREAT OF “MOST TERRIBLE AIR RAID” United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright NANKIN, September 20. With fears accentuated by the preliminary bombing, Nankin awaits what may be the most terrible air raid the world has ever known, in which 300 war planes are expected to participate, only 50 fewer than those performing the mass formation flight at the Hendon air display in June. The Japanese, though undertaking to conserve foreign interests as far as possible, decline to assume responsibility, which foreign Powers seek to place upon them, for the safety of foreigners remaining in the city. Foreign attaches say that Japan can blow Nankin, with its million inhabitants, off the map. Chinese militarists, despite the limitations of the anti-aircraft defences, scoff at the threat of utter destruction, in view of the ineffectualness of the preliminary raids, but it must be remembered that Japan’s plans contemplate the employment of over fivefold the number of aeroplanes hitherto used, outnumbering the Chinese aircraft by ten to one. ZERO HOUR PASSES OFFICIAL JAPANESE REPLY TO QUERY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 22, 12.15 a.m.) NANKING, September 21. The zero hour passed without the air raid occurring. The day was grey and overcast. "We may prefer to keep the capital in suspense," was the Japanese spokesman’s quizzical reply, to the query to when operations would begin. All but seventeen Americans, including the Ambassador (Mr Nelson Johnson), have gone upstream, Mr ~ohnson said: "I am too unhappy to speak. For the first time in thirty years I will be forced to leave my post under Washington’s instructions.” The Italian Embassy officials have also left. All ocners are remaining.

The British Charge d’Affairs supplied the Japanese with a map showing British property and residences. Meanwhile all anti-aircraft guns are manned and cellars and other shelters are prepared and man; of the native populace nave repaired there, carrying emergency rations. Attack On Canton Japanese aeroplanes twice swept the City of Canton raining bombs for two hours. Archies and Chinese aeroplanes tackled the raiders. The Shamneengate was closed to prevent the Chdnese stampeding to the European quarter. It is believed that considerable damage and loss of life was suffered by the Chinese quarter.