JAPAN’S AGGRESSION.

Wairarapa Age, 7 September 1937, Page 5

JAPAN’S AGGRESSION.

EVIDENCE OF AN INITIAL FAILURE.

CHINESE STILL RESISTING STRONGLY. NEED OF LARGELY INCREASED FORCE. (Received Monday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. The Shanghai correspondent of "The Times” says undoubtedly the original Japanese objective, which was either to cut off the Chinese main forces centred on Kaingwan or to fdree a retirement westward, has failed. The Japanese have now landed many more men and batteries, but there are still long gaps in their line between Woosung and Yangtsepoo and Woosung and Lotien,' while the Chinese are not redlucing their pressure. Fifty Japanese transports filled with men and supplies lying in the Yangtse show that the Japanese realise that a largely increased force is necessary. THE BIG PUSH. STRONG OFFENSIVE OPENED BY JAPANESE. . MERCILESS BOMBARDMENT. (Received Monday, 7.40 p.m.) SHANGHAI, September 6.’ Supported by heavy artillery, warships and planes, which are mercilessly bombarding Hongkew and Yangtsepoo, the Japanese began their'muchheralded big push at dawn. The Chinese artillery in the Kiangwan area is replying energetically. JAPANESE ATTACKS. NEAR TO BRITISH TERRITORY. (Received Monday, 7.40 p.m.)* HONG KONG, September 6. A Japanese destroyer bombarded Shekwan, adjacent to British territory. The captain of a Chinese Customs cruiser reported that his vessel was fired on by a destroyer within British territorial waters. . BLAZE OF BATTLE. FIERCE ARTILLERY DUEL. CHINESE TROOPS HANGING ON TENACIOUSLY. (Received This Day, 0.35 a.m.) SHANGHAI, September 6. A seven hour lull was rudely ended at 2.30 a.m., the opposing forces in all sectors exchanging artillery and ma-chine-gun fire. The Idzumo moved to a new position at tjie Jukong Wharf and led the bombardment, the remaining Japanese warships at Woosung raking the Chinese lines. By 5.30 a.m. the Chinese batteries at Kiangwan and the Japanese batteries af ’Mangtsepoo were engaged in. a fierce duel, reverberations shaking the city. The Japanese objective appears to be the cleaning up of the Woosung Peninsula. The Chinese, preponderating in manpower are hanging on tenaciously. PAOSHAN CAPTURED.

JAPANESE AT WOOSUNG

ENCIRCLED.

(Received "fliis Day, 1 a.m.) SHANGHAI, September ,6. The Chinese admit the loss of the walled city of Paoshan. They are fiercely counter-attacking and claim to have encircled the Japanese at Woosung. OIVIP CENTRE BOMBED. ATTACK ON WEAKEST LINK. (Received This Day, 1.0 a.m.) SHANGHAI, September 6. Japanese aeroplanes dropped a hundred, bombs on the Civic Centre. The present operations are directed against China’s weakest link at Yangtsepoo, whence troops were withdrawn to strengthen the Lotien and Woosung sectors.

The Chinese official news agency at. 1 p.m. admitted a partial retirement for the purpose of defending the university and the Woosung sector to prevent the enemy forces from junetioning. Chinese snipers wounded the Idzumo’s commander, engineer and captain. JAPANESE BLOCKADE.

SERIES OF INCIDENTS.

(Received This Day, 1 a.m.) HONG KONG, September 6.

A Japanese destroyer shelled Shekwan and another seized the Chinese Customs cruisers Kwanwei and Hsukuan and sent their crews ashore. Others took over the Prata Shoals radio station and observatory. The British steamer Taishan, bound to Canton, returned to Hong Kong. The captain is reported to have been disinclin-

ed to continue the voyage. The foregoing incidents suggest that the new Japanese blockade is in full operation. Admiral Hasegawa undertook that there should be no interference with peaceful commerce, but reserved the right to hail all merchantmen. APPEAL TO LEAGUE. ACTION BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. (Received This Day, 1,0 a.m.) NANKING, September 6. It is aqapunced that China is appealing to the League of Nations against Japanese aggression. REPORTED EXCUSE. ATTACK ON THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR. INABILITY TO FIND AIRMAN. (Received This Day, 1.0 a.m.) TOKIO, September 6. The spokesman has refused to deny or confirm the story that Japan has been unable to trace the airman who attacked' the British Ambassador, Sir H. Knatehbull-Hugessen.