HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 41, 18 February 1932, Page 7

HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS

CHINESE RESISTANCE FAILURE OF PEACE EFFORTS JAPAN WILL BE VICTOR BUT WHAT WILL IT COST? Received Feb. 17, 11.55 p.m. SHANGHAI Feb. 17. Despite the combined efforts of the British, American, French and Italian Ministers to persuade the Chinese to withdraw in accordance with the wishes of Japan as a preliminary step towards peace, there is little prospect of the Chinese agreeing. Heavy reinforcements are arriving daily and the lines are being strengthened by a wide system of trenchwork radiating from Chapei. The Times* correspondent at Shanghai says that the situation entails a tragedy for China. Whatever happens the Chinese intend to withstand the invaders to the utmost. The Japanese are chagrined at their failures and are determined to vindicate their military reputation, and should eventually be able to crash their way to their objective. Because they can be reinforced indefinitely they must finally win. The more the Chinese fight the more the Japanes can reinforce their armies, and the more it costs Japan to win the harsher can be the ultimate terms of settlement. SHELLS IN SETTLEMENT BRITISH SAILOBS WOUNDED Received Feb. 17. 10.20 p.m. SHANGHAI, Feb. 17. During the. usual nightly bombardment, shells fell in the Dock district of the International Settlement, seriously wounding two British, sailors and damaging wharves and pontoons, Mhich are British property. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT DENIALS BY JAPANESE KOBE, Feb. 36. The Japanese naval authorities deny many affirmations regarding their actions made in the Shanghai Consular Commission’s report to Geneva, including such statements as that 19 Japanese ’planes flew over Shanghai on January 31, and that Japanese marines interferred with the municipal functions. The issued an ultimatum stating that unless all Chinese forces vacate to thirty kilometres from Shanghai the Japanese would attack in force. JAPANESE REHEARSALS PREPARING FOR OFFENSIVE APPREHENSION CAUSED The Japanese are performing rehearsals preparatory to an attempt to capture Chapei. Three large fires were started at dusk in the Kiangwan area, where the Japanese are taking up positions. The Chinese are apparently preparing to meet the offensive, as heavy reinforcements have arrived. Large concentration is taking place along a wide front. The Chinese lines in some places are barely half a mile from the Japanese, but both sides are withholding fire. A rumour that General Chiangkaishek is coming to Shanghai to assist the defences was strengthened to-day when 2000 of his personal crack troops reached Chengju. The cessation of heavy firing around the Settlement, with intensive military preparations on both sides, is causing the authorities more alarm than the actual Chapei fighting, since the pending hostilities will undoubtedly drive the Chinese towards the Settlement boundaries. SHOT MISSES TYPIST A JAPANESE OFFENSIVE SHANGHAI, Feb. 16. Miss Margaret Nash, typist at the British Consulate, was hanging up her coat after lunch when a mystery bullet crashed through the window travelling to her desk. Mr. Brennan (the Consul) was in the next room. Shanghai is nervously awaiting the offensive which the new Japanese troops are expected to launch on February 17. Five Chinese army corps under General Feng Yu Hsiang are concentrating in the Shanghai-Nanking railway area. APPEAL TO JAPAN LEAGUE COUNCIL’S DECISION 0 Received Feb. 17, 9.15 a.m. GENEVA, Feb. 16. The Council of Twelve has decided to appeal to Japan to reach a pacific settlement with China. The League Council to-day des patched a message to Japan regarding the situation at Shanghai. The text has not yet been published, but Press telegrams state that members of the council, while recognising the difficulties with which Japan has been faced, recall her responsibilities as one of the principal partners in the world organisation for the maintenance of peace, and appeal to her to show restraint. It is understood the message also recalls the terms of Article 10 of the Covenant in the sense related to the principle already affirmed by the American Government, whereby acquisition by force of any territories would not bp recognised.