BLOCKADE BEGUN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21167, 17 July 1940, Page 8

BLOCKADE BEGUN

COAST SOUTH OF SHANGHAI PROTEST BY BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SHANGHAI, July 16 Japanese warships and aeroplanes have begun operations in the Hangchow Bay area, in accordance with the decision to blockade the coast south of Shanghai. It is officially stated in Hongkong that the authorities have secured ships to Manila for the transport of British families evacuated from Hongkong to Australia. It is reported from Chungking that after a lapse of five days almost 100 Japanese aeroplanes resumed the bombing of the city, setting fire to the modem suburban district and adding to the discomfort caused by a heat wave. The temperature is 105 degrees in the shade. Britain has protested to Japan against the closing of further ports in China to-day, on the grounds that the notice is inadequate. and that the ports include a number of important typhoon refuges for shipping. Japan, it is pointed out, will be held responsible for damage to any British ship unable to shelter during a typhoon. The plant of the Americanregistered Chinese newspaper Shunpao was bombed a few hours after the paper’s legal representative, Mr N. F. Allman, and five other Americans had been ordered to be expelled from the International Settlement by the Japanese-controlled Nanking Govern ment. Amid a subsequent gun battle in • street, in which it is believed one terrorist was arrested, 20 persons

were injured, of whom eight were sent to hospital. Four grenades were thrown, and two exploded in the street, where the majority of the injuries occurred. A cordon was placed round the Shunpao building.